Turkey has launched a major operation to stop migrant smuggling across the country. In just two weeks, Turkish security forces caught 273 people believed to be organizing illegal migration. These operations took place in 51 provinces, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.
Out of the 273 people caught, 98 have been officially arrested. The rest are still under investigation. At the same time, 1,022 irregular migrants were also found and taken in by the authorities. Minister Yerlikaya shared the news on social media, praising the police and other agencies involved.
The crackdown was led by the police departments’ anti-smuggling teams and supported by the Directorate of Migration Management and the Department of Combating Migrant Smuggling. These teams worked together to track down both smugglers and the migrants being moved illegally.
What does this mean for migrants? It shows that Turkey is taking stronger steps to stop human smuggling and protect both its own security and the rights of migrants. Minister Yerlikaya said that Turkey wants to be a global example in handling migration with respect for human rights and public safety.
Turkey has a long history of helping refugees. At one point, it hosted more than two-thirds of the world’s Syrian refugees. During the early years of the Syrian war, many refugees lived in camps, but over time they moved to cities, especially in western parts of Turkey.
Because of this large number of migrants, Turkey has increased its border security. Coast guard patrols are now more active, especially in the Aegean Sea. This area is a common route for migrants trying to reach Greece and other European countries.
Some migrants try to cross by sea or land with the help of smugglers. These smugglers often take large sums of money and then leave the migrants behind in dangerous conditions. Turkish authorities have managed to stop many of these attempts before the migrants reach Europe.
Over the past five years, the Turkish Coast Guard has rescued more than 105,000 migrants from the sea. Many of them were heading into dangerous waters that have already taken countless lives. Turkey has continued its efforts to prevent these tragedies and stop smugglers from taking advantage of desperate people.