Turkish Coast Guard forces have detained 30 Afghan refugees, including 12 children, in the western Turkish province of Aydin while they were allegedly attempting to leave the country illegally.
According to Turkish media reports citing the Turkish Coast Guard Command, authorities received information about a group of refugees preparing to leave the country. Coast Guard personnel were subsequently dispatched to the reported location, where they identified and detained the group.
The authorities said the individuals were taken into custody after being detected during the alleged attempt to leave Turkey through an unauthorized route. Following the completion of legal procedures, the refugees were handed over to a detention center for undocumented migrants.
The detention comes amid continued efforts by Turkish authorities to identify and deport undocumented migrants across the country. Afghan nationals have remained among the migrant groups affected by Turkey’s immigration enforcement operations.
According to figures cited in the report, Turkish authorities detained 25,314 Afghan refugees across the country during the first eight months of this year.
Turkey has continued to strengthen measures against irregular migration, including operations targeting people who lack valid residency or immigration documents. Detained migrants may face administrative procedures that can lead to deportation, depending on their individual legal status.
The latest incident in Aydin highlights the continued challenges faced by Afghan refugees and migrants seeking to enter, remain in, or leave Turkey through irregular routes.