Turkish security forces apprehend 220 irregular migrants

​​​​​​​By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - A total of 220 irregular migrants were apprehended Saturday in operations in Edirne, Kirklareli, Izmir, Mugla, Antalya, and Balikesir provinces of Türkiye.

Northwestern Edirne Provincial Police Department teams apprehended 17 migrants who were detected entering the country through illegal means.

The migrants, identified during inspections in the city center and districts, were sent to the Provincial Directorate of Immigration after due procedures.

The northwestern Kirklareli Provincial Gendarmerie Command and the Provincial Police Department teams captured 41 foreign nationals who entered the country illegally.

In operations carried out in seven regions, the migrants were handed over to the Pehlivankoy Repatriation Center after necessary procedures.

Additionally, a suspect involved in migrant smuggling was detained in the same operation.

In the waters off the coastal province of Izmir, 11 migrants, who requested assistance due to a motor malfunction, were rescued by Coast Guard teams.

Simultaneously, 34 irregular migrants on a moving rubber boat in the same area were apprehended.

In the waters off western Mugla province, 14 migrants on a rubber boat pushed into Turkish territorial waters by Greek elements were rescued by Coast Guard teams.

In the waters off Antalya, 17 migrants on a rubber boat were identified and captured by Coast Guard teams.

Additionally, five migrants were apprehended in the district as a result of follow-up by the District Gendarmerie Command.

Meanwhile, in the waters off Ayvalik in western Balikesir province, 95 migrants attempting to reach the Greek island of Lesbos through illegal means were captured and rescued.

Coast Guard teams identified rubber boats carrying migrants during operations, rescuing and apprehending them.

Following humanitarian aid, all irregular migrants were sent to the Provincial Directorate of Immigration upon completion of procedures.