U.S. Embassy denies Erdoğan-Biden deal on Afghan refugees
The U.S. Embassy in Ankara has dismissed claims regarding a migrant deal between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and US President Joe Biden on Afghan refugees.
“The U.S. Embassy wishes to state that allegations regarding an “agreement” or “deal” between President Biden and President Erdoğan regarding Afghan refugees or migrants are completely without foundation,” the Embassy said in a statement posted on Twitter.
The U.S. Embassy wishes to state that allegations regarding an “agreement” or “deal” between President Biden and President Erdoğan regarding Afghan refugees or migrants are completely without foundation.
— U.S. Embassy Turkey (@USEmbassyTurkey) August 18, 2021
Somewhere between 500 and 2,000 Afghan refugees are now estimated to be entering Turkey every day after undertaking the long and arduous journey from Afghanistan.
Afghans are one of the largest irregular migrant groups in Turkey. From the period 2003-2007, the number of Afghans apprehended was significant, with statistics almost doubling during the last year. Most had fled the War in Afghanistan.
After Taliban forces had seized Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, thousands of Afghans who worked alongside US occupation troops fled the country, seeking asylum in other countries. (ILKHA)