Turkey’s Interior Minister, Ali Yerlikaya, announced the apprehension of 242 irregular migrants during a security operation named KALKAN-29 in Istanbul’s Esenyurt district. The operation, conducted by Turkish police in collaboration with the Directorate General for Migration Management, focused on areas commonly associated with irregular migration, such as public parks, hotels, and major roadways.
The large-scale effort involved 370 police officers, 93 migration management personnel, and 31 mobile migration units. Over 4,700 foreign nationals were checked for identification and fingerprints, leading to the confirmation of 242 as irregular migrants. Deportation proceedings for those detained are now underway.
Yerlikaya highlighted the significance of the operation, stating it demonstrates Turkey’s dedication to enforcing lawful migration policies while addressing the challenges of irregular migration. He added that Turkey’s unique geographic position as a bridge between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East presents significant challenges in managing migration flows.
Earlier this year, Yerlikaya revealed that Turkish security forces had carried out nearly 6,339 operations targeting human trafficking networks, resulting in the arrest of 3,924 individuals involved in smuggling activities.
As a critical transit route for migrants from conflict-hit regions like Syria and Afghanistan aiming to reach Europe, Turkey has faced mounting pressure to control illegal migration. In response, the country has bolstered its border security, tightened legal measures, and strengthened international cooperation to combat human trafficking networks effectively.