Page 67 - Syrians in Türkiye - Special Report

GRAND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF TÜRKİYE THE OMBUDSMAN INSTITUTION

According to information received from the Turkish Coast Guard Command on
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irregular migration by sea ; in the 2011-2017 period, a total of 176,758 irregular
migrants were caught, 62% of them, or 110,011, were Syrians. The number of irregular
Syrian migrants attempting the sea route was 47 in 2011, 347 in 2012, 3,101 in 2013,
8,418 in 2014, 68,711 in 2015, 22,988 in 2016, and 6,399 in 2017 as of August 1.

(Source: Anadolu News Agency)

However, despite the ongoing struggle on this issue, it is clear that people who flee
from war and death continue to attempt to reach Europe via the Mediterranean. At
the same time, the crisis has increased the smuggling sector to serious levels. For this
reason, efforts against smuggling have increased, and according to information from
the Turkish Coast Guard command 646 migrant smugglers were caught by the Turkish
security forces between 2011 and August 1, 2017. There was a significant reduction in
sea crossings the after the agreement between the EU and Türkiye was signed.
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Turkish Coast Guard Command records dated 13/01/2017, 14/08/2017, and 29/12/2017 (accessed 12
January 2018).

SYRIANS IN TÜRKİYE SPECIAL REPORT 67