Turkish security forces have arrested 115 people suspected of being involved in migrant smuggling. This major operation, which lasted two weeks, was carried out across the country and was announced by Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya on Monday. He explained that 49 of those arrested have been formally detained, 15 have been released on probation, and investigations are ongoing for the others.
During the operation, authorities also seized 78 vehicles and several unlicensed weapons. These seizures are seen as a significant blow to smuggling networks that exploit migrants for profit. Minister Yerlikaya emphasized that the government remains committed to fighting migrant smuggling and irregular migration to ensure peace and security in the country.
Official data shows that Türkiye has become a major transit point for irregular migration over the past decade. Since 2020, Turkish authorities have intercepted over 1.1 million migrants attempting to enter or pass through the country illegally. Afghan nationals make up the largest group, followed by Syrians. In recent years, the number of irregular migrants has risen sharply, peaking at 285,027 in 2022. Although the number has decreased slightly in 2024, over 175,000 migrants have already been apprehended this year.
Türkiye has also taken strict measures against those facilitating illegal migration. Between 2020 and 2023, security forces detained over 31,000 smugglers. This year alone, nearly 10,000 smugglers have been apprehended as of October. Smugglers often charge migrants thousands of dollars to arrange dangerous journeys by land or sea. These journeys frequently end in tragedy, as smugglers abandon migrants mid-route, leaving them in life-threatening situations.
The problem is further complicated by tensions with neighboring Greece. On Monday, the Turkish Coast Guard rescued 37 migrants, including 14 children, from life rafts off the coast of Muğla province. The migrants had reportedly been pushed back into Turkish waters by Greek authorities. Türkiye has repeatedly criticized Greece for its pushback practices, which it claims violate international law and endanger lives.
Türkiye hosts more than 4.4 million foreign residents, including over 3.1 million Syrians under temporary protection. As a transit country for migrants aiming to reach Europe, Türkiye faces immense pressure to balance humanitarian responsibilities with border security. Many migrants view the country as a gateway to Greece and other European nations, leading to continued attempts to cross the Aegean Sea or land borders illegally.
Discussions between Türkiye and Greece have recently resumed to address migration issues. Both nations are exploring ways to renew the 2016 EU migration deal, which aimed to control migration flows and improve cooperation. The talks come amid efforts to repair strained relations between the two countries and find sustainable solutions to the migration crisis.
This operation highlights Türkiye’s ongoing efforts to combat smuggling networks while dealing with the broader challenges of migration. As the number of migrants continues to grow globally, international cooperation and stronger policies are urgently needed to ensure safer migration routes and prevent exploitation.