Türkiye prevented entry of 143,000 irregular migrants this year: Erdogan

By Ferdi Türkten and Muhammed Enes Calli

ANKARA (AA) – Turkish security forces have prevented the entry of 143,000 irregular migrants into the country this year, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.

“Since the beginning of this year, we have prevented 143,000 irregular migrants from entering our country,” Erdogan said during a graduation ceremony of the Gendarmerie and Coast Guard Academy officers and noncommissioned officers in the Turkish capital Ankara.

Türkiye also deported some 25,000 migrants as it held a total of 61,000 irregular migrants in the last two and a half months.

“In order to facilitate voluntary, dignified, and safe return, the construction of permanent residences in northern Syria continues,” Erdogan said.

“With the completion of these houses built with the financial support of Qatar, approximately 1 million of our brothers and sisters will be able to return to their homeland with peace of mind,” he said.

Türkiye currently hosts some 4 million Syrian refugees, more than any other country in the world.