KABUL: Turkish coast guard officials have intercepted a vessel near the Ayvacık region carrying 38 Afghan migrants, including 20 children, who were attempting to travel to Greece. According to Turkish media reports, the migrants were apprehended while trying to navigate the Aegean Sea in a dangerous and unsuitable boat. The Turkish Coast Guard announced that the Afghan migrants were taken into custody near the Ayvacık coast in Çanakkale province. After their detention and completion of legal procedures, all apprehended individuals were placed in a refugee center in Çanakkale. In recent months, Turkey has increased maritime patrols to prevent illegal immigration along its shores, particularly following the escalation of crises and poverty in Afghanistan. Since 2020, Turkey’s Coast Guard has disrupted over 190,000 illegal maritime attempts near the country’s western shores. Human rights organizations warn that while such operations may prevent dangerous journeys, comprehensive, deep, and sustainable measures are crucial to address the root causes of migration.
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