Operation KALKAN-28 in Türkiye targets human trafficking, irregular migration Over 250 suspects arrested in two weeks

In the last two weeks, 41 provinces across Türkiye have witnessed the execution of the “KALKAN-28” operation, focusing on human trafficking organisers and irregular migrants.

In a statement shared on social media platform X, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya provided an update on the operation, Caliber.Az reports.

Göçmen Kaçakçılığı Organizatörlerine Geçit Yok❗️

41 ilde son 2 hafta içinde Göçmen Kaçakçılığı Organizatörleri ve Düzensiz Göçmenlere yönelik düzenlenen “KALKAN-28” operasyonlarında;

📍257 şüpheli göçmen kaçakçılığı organizatörü yakalandı.
📍59’u tutuklandı.
📍22’si hakkında… pic.twitter.com/0BJZDZ9ssn

— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) November 8, 2024

Key figures from the operation include:

• 257 suspected human trafficking organisers apprehended.

• 59 of them have been arrested.

• 22 have been placed under judicial control.

• Judicial proceedings continue for the remaining suspects.

In 2024 alone, a total of 6339 operations have been carried out targeting human trafficking organisers. The results have been significant:

• 3,924 human traffickers arrested.

• 1,693 individuals placed under judicial control.

The issue of irregular migration continues to be one of the most pressing global challenges. Türkiye’s approach to combating irregular migration and human trafficking is rooted in respect for the rule of law, human rights, and the values of civilisation.

“We will not allow human traffickers to turn our country into a target or a transit route for irregular migration. Our operations continue resolutely across all regions,” Yerlikaya said.

Notably, the “KALKAN-28” operations, coordinated by the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Offices, the General Directorate of Security’s Border and Immigration Services, and the Directorate General of Migration Management, were carried out by local police forces in several provinces, including Istanbul, Izmir, Adana, Muğla, Çanakkale, Edirne, Nevşehir, Van, Erzurum, Kocaeli, Konya, Ağrı, Hatay, Kırklareli, Tekirdağ, Aydın, Bursa, Denizli, Erzincan, Gaziantep, Hakkari, Kayseri, Samsun, Batman, Afyonkarahisar, Ankara, Antalya, Balıkesir, Bingöl, Diyarbakır, Elazığ, Eskişehir, Manisa, Muş, Rize, Siirt, Trabzon, Şanlıurfa, Şırnak, Yalova, and Kilis.

The authorities have praised the efforts of the prosecutors, heroic police officers, and the personnel of the Migration Management Department for their successful coordination.

“May Allah protect you, and our nation's prayers are with you,” they added.

By Aghakazim Guliyev