ANKARA, Turkey — Turkish authorities detained 128 refugees, including 62 children, in three separate operations targeting Afghan and Iranian nationals, Turkish media reported on Wednesday.
The arrests took place in the Ayvacık district of Çanakkale province, a key transit point for migrants attempting to reach Europe. According to TRT World, Turkish security forces detained 35 individuals, including 17 children, during a land-based operation.
In a separate operation, the Turkish Coast Guard rescued 57 refugees, including 29 children, who had become stranded at sea. Another group of 36 migrants, including 16 children, was intercepted while traveling in an inflatable boat.
All detainees were transferred to the Ayvacık Migrant Reception and Referral Center after completing legal procedures, according to officials.
Turkey’s crackdown on migrants
The arrests are part of a broader effort by Turkey to curb unauthorized migration as the country continues to serve as a major transit hub for asylum seekers from Asia attempting to reach Europe.
Last week, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that 1,298 undocumented migrants had been arrested across Turkey as part of a nationwide crackdown. Authorities also apprehended 43 suspected human smugglers in connection with the operations.
Turkey, which hosts one of the largest refugee populations in the world, has ramped up deportations and other measures in recent months amid mounting domestic and international pressures to address irregular migration.
