By Erdal Turkoglu
ANKARA (AA) – At least 97 irregular migrants were held across Turkey, security sources said on Monday.
In Altinozu district of the southern province of Hatay, 57 irregular migrants -- all Syrian nationals -- were held when they were trying to illegally enter Turkey from Syria, added a source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
Separately, in northwestern Edirne province, police rounded up 40 migrants during routine patrols.
Also, two human smugglers were arrested.
All of the migrants were referred to provincial migration directorates.
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 the Interior Ministry.