Nearly 270 undocumented migrants held across Turkey

By Salih Baran

EDIRNE, Turkey

At least 269 undocumented migrants were held across Turkey on Tuesday, according to security sources.

In the northwestern province of Edirne, 98 migrants were rounded up in the Meric district as well as in the village of Yenikadin, said gendarmerie sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The migrants were from Syria, Iraq and Pakistan.

Separately, 95 undocumented migrants -- all Syrian nationals -- were rounded up in the Yayladagi district of the southern Hatay province, according to border security officials.

In the northwestern Kirklareli province, 43 people -- Afghan, Iraqi, Pakistani and Syrian nationals -- were held in the Demirkoy and Kofcaz districts.

Also in Erzincan, an eastern Turkey province, gendarmerie held 33 undocumented migrants -- the majority Pakistani nationals.

Turkey has been the main route for refugees trying to cross into Europe, especially since the start of Syria’s civil war in 2011.

Among the migrants held last year in Turkey, the majority came from Pakistan -- around 15,000 -- followed by Afghanistan, at around 12,000. Syrians totaled 10,000.