31 December 2017•Update: 03 January 2018
By Cihan Demirci
AYDIN, Turkey
At least 46 undocumented migrants were held in southwestern Aydin province on Sunday, according to a security official.
The migrants were from Syria and Afghanistan; they were trying to cross into Greece illegally, the official, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.
The detentions came during an operation by a coastguards’ unit after they were tipped off that two inflatable boats were seen carrying migrants in Didim district of the province.
Turkey has been a major route for refugees trying to cross into Europe, especially since the beginning of the civil war in Syria.