The boats carrying irregular migrants were pushed back to Turkish territorial waters by Greek Coast Guard forces, according to the statement.

The rescued migrants were sent to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management after their official procedures had been completed, officials said

Historically, Turkey has been a country of origin, transit, and destination for migrants and was a crossroads between Europe and Asia.

Recent regional events have contributed to Turkey increasingly becoming a major destination and transit country for those fleeing conflict, poverty, and disasters.

Turkey hosts one of the largest migrant and refugee populations in the world. 

According to the official reports, the Turkish coast guard intercepted 21,473 irregular migrants in 2021, up from 19,368 in 2020. (ILKHA)