Operation Kalkan-37 in Türkiye: Nearly 800 illegal migrants detained in nationwide sweep VIDEO

In a large-scale effort to combat illegal migration and human trafficking, Türkiye's Ministry of the Interior has successfully executed the Kalkan-37 operation, resulting in the apprehension of approximately 800 illegal migrants. 

The operation was launched across the country with the primary objective of identifying illegal migrants and dismantling migrant smuggling networks, Caliber.Az reports.

Ali Yerlikaya, the Minister of the Interior, shared the details of the operation on his social media page. According to Yerlikaya, the operation has been a significant success, with 42 human trafficking organizers, including 14 foreign nationals, arrested during the sweep. Additionally, the operation included extensive identity checks on 380,807 individuals, resulting in the identification and deportation of 764 irregular migrants.

2024 yılının son gününde ülke genelinde düzenlediğimiz “KALKAN-37” operasyonlarında; 14’ü yabancı uyruklu olmak üzere toplam
⛔️ 42 göçmen kaçakçılığı organizatörü yakalandı. Ayrıca;
⛔️ 380 bin 807 kişiye kimlik kontrolü yapıldı ve denetimlerde 764 düzensiz göçmen tespit edilerek… pic.twitter.com/U7LsGhWSSU

— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) January 2, 2025

One of the key features of the Kalkan-37 operation was the deployment of 270 mobile migration point vehicles throughout all 81 provinces of Türkiye. These mobile units are equipped with cutting-edge technology, including computers linked to the GöçNET database, fingerprint devices, migration experts, and translators. This technology allows for rapid verification of foreign nationals without identification or passports, significantly improving the speed and efficiency of migrant checks.

“With this application, while we are making a significant effort on the ground against irregular migration, we also ensure that foreigners with legal residence rights and tourists in our country are not disturbed,” Yerlikaya said in his statement.

The operation was coordinated with Public Prosecutor's Offices and the Directorate General of Migration Management, with support from the General Directorate of Security, the General Command of Gendarmerie, and the Coast Guard Command. Inspections took place across various locations, including abandoned buildings, public entertainment venues, truck garages, terminals, ports, and public transport stations. A total of 15,063 locations were checked during the operation, including 4,482 abandoned buildings, 7,804 public places, 539 terminals, and 2,238 other key areas.

In his message, Minister Yerlikaya confirmed that repatriation procedures for the detained irregular migrants are already underway.

"I congratulate the Public Prosecutor's Offices coordinating the operations, as well as our police officers, gendarmerie, coast guards, and the personnel of the Directorate General of Migration Management who carried out the operations," Yerlikaya concluded.

By Vugar Khalilov