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Türkiye rescues dozens of irregular migrants after illegal Greek pushbacks

Turkish coast guards conducted multiple rescue operations in the country's Aegean Sea where it saved 134 irregular migrants forced to go to Turkish waters by Greek authorities.

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The international community has been harshly criticising the Greek government over its practice against asylum seekers, accusing Greece of violating humanitarian values and international law.

Türkiye’s coast guards have rescued 134 irregular migrants pushed into Turkish territorial waters by Greece and caught 69 trying to cross illegally.

The Turkish Coast Guard Command said on Monday the rescue operations were carried out off the Turkish coasts of Mugla and Izmir in the Aegean Sea.

In Mugla's Bodrum district, Turkish coast guards captured 32 foreign nationals trying to cross illegally in rubber boats and rescued 16 irregular migrants who were pushed into Turkish territorial waters by Greek units.

Five irregular migrants in a rubber boat who were pushed into Turkish territorial waters by Greek officials were also rescued in the Datca district of Mugla.

Meanwhile, 113 irregular migrants who were illegally pushed back into Turkish territorial waters by Greek authorities were rescued and 37 were captured off western Izmir province.

All of the migrants were taken to provincial migration offices.

Greek illegal pushbacks

Türkiye has been a key transit point for asylum seekers trying to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

Human rights groups and media outlets have frequently reported on illegal pushbacks and other human rights breaches by Greek authorities.

Ankara and global rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece’s illegal practice of pushing back asylum seekers, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children.

SOURCE: AA