In the operation conducted in Foça and Çeşme districts of İzmir, 36 irregular migrants were caught

Operations by security units against irregular migrants trying to leave the country illegally from the coastal regions of İzmir continue uninterruptedly. In this context, a total of 36 irregular migrants were caught and stopped in two simultaneous successful operations carried out in the Foça and Çeşme districts. Detecting the migrants before they embarked on an illegal journey with unsafe sea vessels that endangered their lives prevented a potential tragedy. Security forces have also tightened inspections, demonstrating a decisive stance against the activities of human smugglers in the region. After the captured individuals were subjected to necessary security and health checks, legal proceedings were initiated.

The first leg of the incidents occurred on the morning of 9 July at around 06.50 off the coast of the Foça district. Security units, detecting extraordinary activity in the area, were immediately dispatched to the scene. As a result of a precise scan conducted by the mobile coastal surveillance vehicle (DENİZ-353) belonging to the Coast Guard Command, an inflatable boat moving unprotected on the water was detected. After the exact location of the boat was determined, the Coast Guard boat (KB-41), directed to the area, swiftly stopped the suspicious vessel. 27 irregular migrants who were trying to illegally set sail inside the inflatable boat were safely brought ashore and handed over to security forces.

In the later hours of the same day, that is around 22.15 in the evening, a serious report came from the Çeşme district. The information that a suspicious group was gathering at the Azmak Halk Plajı location and preparing to set sail prompted action. Upon this, Coast Guard support teams (Alaçatı/Koldestim) and Çeşme District Gendarmerie Command teams conducted a joint operation in the area. As a result of the teams' rapid arrival at the scene, the inflatable boat or life raft they were trying to launch into the sea had not yet been lowered into the water. 9 more irregular migrants waiting suspiciously were cornered on the shore and detained without any harm.

Such illegal migration attempts not only put the lives of migrants at great risk but also negatively affect the security and public order environment in the region. Setting sail with inflatable boats, especially at night or in the very early hours of the morning, in rough sea conditions and without taking safety precautions, can frequently result in tragedies. Turkish Coast Guard and Gendarmerie units are on alert around the clock to prevent these deadly journeys and bring human trafficking perpetrators to justice. The İzmir coastline stands out as one of the strategic regions with heavy irregular migrant traffic, and is therefore constantly monitored with technological equipment. Stopping migrants in this manner is of great importance both to protect their lives and to cut off illegal human trade.

The 36 irregular migrants caught in these two separate operations in Foça and Çeşme were subjected to necessary official procedures after being handed over to security units. The migrants, whose statements were taken at police stations and whose identities were determined, were referred to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management for the continuation of legal proceedings. The Provincial Directorate of Migration Management is responsible for carrying out processes such as the deportation of these individuals to their countries or official refugee procedures. Authorities emphasize that current inspections will increasingly continue to prevent such illegal crossing attempts on the İzmir coast. These operations are considered an important local reflection of the protection of the country's border security and international migration crises.