Published : 10-10-2020
Turkish coast guard said 18 irregular migrants were rescued off the Aegean seashore after they were pushed back by Greek forces.
Turkish security sources said the Greek coast guards pushed back a rubber boat carrying migrants, including women and children, attempting to reach the Greek island of Medley.
Turkey and Greece have been key transit points for asylum-seekers, refugees and migrants seeking to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.
Turkey earlier this year opened its gates for irregular migrants wanting to cross to Europe, accusing the European Union of failing to keep its promises under a 2016 migrant deal.
Greece's response to those trying to enter the country without prior authorization has been harsh, with a number of migrants having been killed by Greek security forces along the land border with Turkey. Many others have been battered and teargassed.
Ankara already hosts over 3.5 million migrants from Syria, more than any other country in the world, and says it cannot handle another wave.
So far this year, Turkey's Coast Guard Command has rescued hundreds of migrants and asylum-seekers off the Aegean coast after they were forced by Greece into Turkish territorial waters.
Turkish coast guard said 18 irregular migrants were rescued off the Aegean seashore after they were pushed back by Greek forces.
Turkish security sources said the Greek coast guards pushed back a rubber boat carrying migrants, including women and children, attempting to reach the Greek island of Medley.
Turkey and Greece have been key transit points for asylum-seekers, refugees and migrants seeking to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.
Turkey earlier this year opened its gates for irregular migrants wanting to cross to Europe, accusing the European Union of failing to keep its promises under a 2016 migrant deal.
Greece's response to those trying to enter the country without prior authorization has been harsh, with a number of migrants having been killed by Greek security forces along the land border with Turkey. Many others have been battered and teargassed.
Ankara already hosts over 3.5 million migrants from Syria, more than any other country in the world, and says it cannot handle another wave.
So far this year, Turkey's Coast Guard Command has rescued hundreds of migrants and asylum-seekers off the Aegean coast after they were forced by Greece into Turkish territorial waters.
