The Turks stopped a truck carrying migrants from Afghanistan. About 300 people were transported in difficult conditions – including women and children. The growing number of migrants is the result of the growing conflict between the government in Kabul and the Taliban.
Turkish security forces detained some 300 migrants, mostly Afghan citizens, who tried to get into Turkey from the Iranian border, authorities in Ankara said on Wednesday. A group of Afghan migrants was found in a large truck – women and children were among those transported to Turkey.
Ankara is concerned about a new influx of migrants to Turkey from Afghanistan amid the growing conflict between the government in Kabul and the Taliban following the withdrawal of US and NATO forces from the country.
Turkish security forces have stopped a truck carrying migrants from AfghanistanReuters
More than 3.5 million Afghans forced to leave their homes
The UN Refugee Agency estimates that 270,000 Afghans have been displaced since January – the move has increased the number of citizens forced to leave their homes to over 3.5 million.
In June, the foreign ministers of Turkey, Afghanistan and Iran discussed security, energy and migration cooperation, but Turkish diplomatic sources say there is no specific mechanism between Ankara and Tehran to deal with migration from Afghanistan, the Reuters agency noted.
Main photo source: Reuters