Authorities in Turkey have detained 18 Afghan migrants attempting to travel illegally to Europe officials said. The arrests were made in Edirne Province a region widely regarded as a key transit corridor for irregular migration routes into European countries.
According to reports from Turkish media the group included women and children. Following their detention the migrants were transferred to relevant repatriation and processing centers where deportation procedures are expected to take place in accordance with Turkish immigration regulations.
Turkish border forces stated that the arrests occurred during a targeted security operation aimed at preventing unauthorized border crossings via land routes. Officials emphasized that such operations are routinely conducted to curb human smuggling activities and irregular migration flows.
Edirne remains a focal point for migration enforcement efforts due to its proximity to European borders. Each year thousands of migrants reportedly attempt to pass through the province in hopes of reaching Europe.
Data from the Directorate General of Migration Management indicate that more than 152,000 irregular migrants were detained nationwide last year. Of these over 42,000 were identified as Afghan nationals highlighting the continued scale of migration challenges faced by Turkish authorities.
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