In a significant crackdown on irregular migration, the Turkish Interior Ministry announced that 2,563 irregular migrants were captured in just one week, along with the detention of 149 migrant smugglers. Minister Ali Yerlikaya emphasized the continuous efforts to combat irregular migration and migrant smuggling, highlighting that 100 operations were conducted as part of the “Kalkan-25” (Shield) series targeting these issues.
Among the detained smugglers, 42 were remanded in custody, while 21 were released pending judicial control. Legal proceedings are ongoing for the remaining individuals. Türkiye has long been a crucial transit point for migrants aiming to enter Europe, particularly since the onset of the Syrian civil war in 2011. Each year, thousands of migrants flee from conflict or economic hardships, hoping to reach Europe for a better life.
These migrants often undertake perilous journeys over land or sea with the help of smugglers, who frequently abandon them after receiving substantial payments. Turkish security forces frequently intercept migrants before they can cross the border into the European Union. There are also instances of Greece being accused of pushing back migrants in the Aegean Sea, where Greek coast guard boats drive away approaching migrant vessels.
In 2023, Turkish authorities intercepted 254,000 irregular migrants and arrested 3,744 migrant smugglers. Türkiye, which hosts over 4 million refugees—the most of any country in the world—is implementing new measures to prevent further migrant influxes. The country is striving to balance its humanitarian policies with the necessity to stop migrants from risking their lives on dangerous journeys.
Most irregular migrants attempt to enter Türkiye through its eastern borders. To counter this, Türkiye has started constructing a security wall, with 80% of the wall and a 1,234-kilometer (767-mile) patrolling strip near completion. The remaining section is expected to be finished within the year. Additionally, the Directorate of Migration has established “mobile migration points” to expedite the processing of irregular migrants. These points assist law enforcement in the field by enabling quicker checks for irregular migrants.