Turkey Detains 40 Undocumented Migrants Including Afghan Citizens

Turkish authorities detained at least 40 undocumented migrants, including Afghan citizens, during two operations in Edirne province. Officials also arrested two suspected human traffickers in connection with the operations and referred them to the judiciary for further action.

The detentions are part of intensified enforcement against irregular migration in Turkey. Edirne province has been the site of multiple such operations due to its location along migration routes.

Data indicates that migrant arrivals increased by 25 percent in 2025 to approximately 394,000 people. Afghan nationals accounted for 5.8 percent of the arrivals in that period.

In the first five months of 2026, 16,436 Afghan migrants were detained by Turkish police for lacking valid residence permits. This shows the ongoing nature of the enforcement efforts throughout the year.

Human rights groups have voiced concerns about forced returns since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The groups are worried about the implications for those being returned to Afghanistan under the current circumstances.

The increase in migrant arrivals has prompted Turkish authorities to take stricter measures. This includes both detentions and actions against those facilitating illegal crossings.

The situation with Afghan migrants is particularly notable given the percentage they represent in the overall arrivals. Continued detentions in 2026 indicate that the issue persists.