1,300 PEOPLE DEPORTED AMID ISIS CLAMPDOWN

Ankara, 4 Rajab 1436/23 April 2015 (MINA) – Turkey has deported 1,300 people and issued exclusion bans against 12,800 to date as part of its efforts to prevent people joining ISIS, according to Turkish authorities.

Turkey tightened security measures after claims many people from European countries were crossing into combat areas through Turkey, Turkish officials said on Wednesday.

More than half of those banned from entering Turkey were from North Africa and Middle East, and almost half were of European and North American origin, Middle East Monitor (MEMO) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Nearly 71,000 people were detained in 2014 and 54,000 in 2013 as they were trying to cross the Turkish border illegally. Between 700 to 800 people are believed to have joined ISIS crossing via Turkey.

The figures came after risk analysis centers were established by the government in international airports and terminals in key Turkish cities in 2014 as part of its efforts to curb the problem.

Turkey has also tightened security measures along its 800 kilometer border with Syria.

Turkey has called for more cooperation on sharing information with European states on those going to fight in Syrian and northern Iraq. (T/P002/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)