Turkish media have reported that the country’s coast guard has detained 99 “illegal” migrants.
According to Anadolu Agency, the migrants were apprehended in the Aegean Sea off Turkey’s western coast on Saturday, July 21.
The Turkish Coast Guard Command stated that its forces successfully intercepted a sailboat carrying illegal migrants in the Aegean Sea, arresting 99 occupants, including 34 children.
Turkish authorities have indicated that these migrants were transferred to the Aydın region. The identities of the detained individuals have not yet been disclosed.
The Turkish media also reported that two individuals have been arrested on charges of trafficking these migrants. Previously, Turkish officials had announced the detention of 1,096 “illegal migrants,” including Afghan nationals, in the city of Edirne.
This increase in the detention and deportation of Afghan migrants comes amid rising trends of forced deportations from neighboring countries such as Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey.
According to the Turkish Ministry of Interior, in 2023 alone, 68,687 Afghan migrants were detained in Turkey, with many facing deportation.
The situation for Afghan refugees remains dire as they face increasing deportations and detentions across Turkey and neighboring countries. The ongoing crackdown exacerbates the challenges faced by these vulnerable populations, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive and humane solutions to address the refugee crisis.
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