At least 175 irregular migrants held across Turkey

AYDIN/EDIRNE/VAN, Turkey

At least 175 irregular migrants were held across Turkey, security sources said on Friday.

In the western province of Aydin, the coast guard held a group of 62 Afghan migrants -- including 25 children -- off Kusadasi district on a dinghy. They are trying to reach Greece.

Separately, the gendarmerie arrested 97 migrants in Edirne -- a northwestern province bordering Greece and Bulgaria -- during regular patrols in Kesan, Meric and Uzunkopru districts.

The migrants were Palestinian, Iranian, Moroccon, Libyan, Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals.

Also, 16 Afghan nationals were held in eastern Van province when the gendarmerie stopped an automobile in Muradiye district. The driver was arrested.

Turkey has been the main route for irregular migrants trying to cross into Europe, especially since 2011, when the Syrian civil war began.

Reporting by Ferdi Uzun, Cihan Demirci, Ilkan Toprak and Candogan Parlatan:Writing by Ahmet Salih Alacacı

AYDIN/EDIRNE/VAN, Turkey

At least 175 irregular migrants were held across Turkey, security sources said on Friday.

In the western province of Aydin, the coast guard held a group of 62 Afghan migrants -- including 25 children -- off Kusadasi district on a dinghy. They are trying to reach Greece.

Separately, the gendarmerie arrested 97 migrants in Edirne -- a northwestern province bordering Greece and Bulgaria -- during regular patrols in Kesan, Meric and Uzunkopru districts.

The migrants were Palestinian, Iranian, Moroccon, Libyan, Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals.

Also, 16 Afghan nationals were held in eastern Van province when the gendarmerie stopped an automobile in Muradiye district. The driver was arrested.

Turkey has been the main route for irregular migrants trying to cross into Europe, especially since 2011, when the Syrian civil war began.

Reporting by Ferdi Uzun, Cihan Demirci, Ilkan Toprak and Candogan Parlatan:Writing by Ahmet Salih Alacacı