Nearly 170 irregular migrants held in Turkey

At least 168 irregular migrants were held in Turkiye this week, authorities said on Saturday.

A total of 162 migrants, all from Afghanistan, were held during vehicle searches at checkpoints in the eastern Bitlis province between this past Monday and today, according to a statement by the provincial governor’s office.

Six more irregular migrants, including people from Morocco and Algeria, were rounded up in the northwestern Kirklareli province, security sources said.

Turkiye has been a key transit point for asylum seekers and irregular migrants who want to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

Turkiye, which already hosts four million refugees, more than any country in the world, is taking new security measures along its borders to prevent a fresh influx of migrants.