Turkish authorities intercepted 656 irregular migrants in a nationwide operation and rescued 57 migrants stranded in the Aegean Sea, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Friday. The large-scale “Shield-36” operation involved over 26,000 security personnel and targeted 15,616 locations across the country. Officials checked 402,609 IDs, apprehending 52 individuals, including 32 foreign nationals involved in migrant smuggling.
The migrants intercepted during the operation are being processed for deportation, Yerlikaya stated, emphasizing Türkiye’s commitment to a migration management system that upholds human rights, legal values, and public security.
In a separate incident off the coast of Ayvalık, Balıkesir province, the Turkish coast guard rescued 57 migrants, including five children, who were pushed back into Turkish waters by Greek authorities. The migrants were stranded in four inflatable boats due to engine failure while attempting to reach the Greek island of Lesbos.
Türkiye has repeatedly accused Greece of conducting illegal “pushbacks,” where migrants are forcibly returned at sea or land borders. This practice has drawn criticism from aid groups for violating international law.
As a key transit point for migrants seeking to enter Europe, Türkiye has faced significant migration challenges, especially since the Syrian civil war began in 2011. Many migrants undertake dangerous journeys by sea or land, often relying on smugglers who abandon them mid-journey after collecting large sums of money.
Between 2010 and 2023, Turkish authorities rescued 184,175 migrants at sea, while 923 migrants tragically lost their lives, and 503 remain missing following shipwrecks.