Turkish Authorities Detain Undocumented Afghan Refugees in Recent Coastal Operations

Turkish security forces have detained dozens of undocumented Afghan nationals in recent operations along the country’s Black Sea and Aegean coasts. Police in the Rize and İyidere districts arrested 23 Afghan refugees, while authorities also detained four individuals suspected of organizing and driving the migrants. In a separate operation near Çanakkale, the Turkish coast guard intercepted an inflatable boat and took 31 refugees into custody, including several Afghans.

The arrests are part of a broader nationwide campaign targeting individuals residing in Turkey without valid permits. According to official data from Turkey’s Directorate of Migration Management, security forces have detained more than 45,000 refugees over the past four months. Of those, 13,543 are Afghan nationals. Turkish authorities have indicated that the operations are aimed at dismantling human smuggling networks and enforcing immigration regulations.

Following these detentions, officials have accelerated procedures to verify identities, process legal cases, and arrange deportations for those lacking residency documentation. The recent coastal operations highlight ongoing efforts to monitor irregular migration routes and address unauthorized movement within the country. Security agencies continue to coordinate with migration authorities to track and process individuals apprehended during these sweeps.