Over 100 undocumented migrants held in Turkey

By Mehmet Yavas and Ibrahim Yaldiz

CANAKKALE, Turkey (AA) - At least 134 undocumented migrants were held across Turkey, security sources said on Wednesday.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media, said that the migrants including women and children were rounded up off Ayvacik district of Canakkale province.

The migrants -- all Afghan nationals -- were illegally attempting to cross into Greece’s Lesbos Island, the sources added.

Another 99 migrants were held in the eastern Mus province, the local governor's office said in a statement.

The migrants -- including 68 Afghans, 18 Bangladeshis and 13 Pakistanis -- on board vehicles were stopped by the security forces. Two people were also detained on charges of human smuggling, the statement said.

All the migrants were later referred to the provincial migration authorities.

Turkey has been a main route for refugees trying to cross into Europe, especially since 2011, the beginning of Syria's civil war.

Among migrants held in 2017 in Turkey, the majority came from Pakistan -- around 15,000 -- followed by Afghans at around 12,000. Syrians totaled about 10,000.