UPDATE WITH TURKISH ARMY STATEMENT, INCREASES NUMBER OF MIGRANTS HELD
By Salin Tas and Mehmet Tosun
HATAY/ANKARA, Turkey (AA) - Turkish forces held 1,526 undocumented migrants in anti-human trafficking operations across the country, security sources said Monday.
Turkish police held 54 undocumented migrants in the southern Hatay province, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
Anti-human trafficking teams raided an apartment in Odabasi neighborhood in Hatay where the Syrian refugees were held.
Also, six alleged traffickers were detained for organizing the illegal crossing from Turkey into Europe.
The Turkish military said on Monday, 1,472 undocumented migrants were held across Turkey during Sunday's operations.
1,471 migrants were held while trying to cross into Turkey from Syria, said a statement from the Turkish General Staff.
Another migrant was held while trying to cross into Turkey from Greece.
Turkey has been the main route for refugees trying to cross into Europe, since the beginning of the civil war in Syria.