36 irregular migrants held in Turkey

A total of 36 irregular migrants were held in Turkey, security sources said on Tuesday.

Provincial gendarmerie forces in northwestern Kirklareli held 13 irregular migrants, including Iraqi, Palestinian and Afghan nationals, who had illegally entered Turkey, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

In Tekirdag, another northwestern province, nine irregular migrants – all Bangladeshi nationals – were held while traveling in taxis.

The taxi drivers were arrested for alleged human smuggling, the sources said.

Turkish forces also held 14 irregular migrants, including Palestinian, Afghan, Syrian, and Egyptian nationals, in the western Aydin province.

The migrants were referred to the provincial migration office.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Coast Guard rescued 120 asylum seekers of the coast of Aydin and 39 others off the coast of the southwestern Mugla province.

They were pushed back by Greek coastal authorities.

* Writing by Ali Murat Alhas and Beyza Binnur Donmez in Ankara.