Nearly 30 irregular migrants held western Turkey

By Ozgun Tiran

KIRKLARELI, Turkey (AA) - At least 28 irregular migrants were held in northwestern Turkey, security sources said on Wednesday.

In the northwestern province of Kirklareli, gendarmerie forces rounded up 28 irregular migrants in Demirkoy and Kofcaz districts, said a security source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The migrants of Afghan, Pakistani and Iraqi nationals were trying to cross to Europe in groups, the source added.

They were later referred to provincial migration authority.

In recent years, Turkey has been a main route for irregular migrants trying to cross to Europe, especially since 2011, the start of the Syrian civil war.

Over 265,000 irregular migrants were held in Turkey in 2018, according to Turkey's Interior Ministry.