More than 850 undocumented migrants held in Turkey

By Mustafa Yildirim, Diyar Guldogan

IZMIR, Turkey

More than 850 undocumented migrants have been held across Turkey in the last two days, according to the Turkish military and coast guards on Friday.

In a statement, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) said 709 people had been held when they attempted to cross into Turkey via borders with Greece, Syria Iran on Thursday.

Out of the total, 580 people were held when they attempted to cross into Turkey from Syria, while 25 others were held during their attempt to cross into Turkey from Greece; border security units also held three others when they attempted to enter the country from Iran.

Also, 101 people were held when they attempted to cross into Greece from Turkey.

Separately, coast guard teams rounded up 64 undocumented migrants and refugees, including Syrians and Pakistanis when they stopped an inflatable boat in Dikili district of the Aegean province of Izmir, a security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

The teams also held 57 migrants -- all of them Syrian nationals -- in Izmir's Cesme district.

Later Friday, Izmir Gendarmerie Command held 48 migrants, who were attempting to cross into Greece, in Dikili district.

They were later transferred to migration management authorities.

Turkey has been the main route for migrants trying to cross into Europe, especially since the beginning of the civil war in Syria.

* Ekiz contributed to the story from Ankara.