From al-Monitor, August 19:
Turkey is expecting refugees to arrive from war-torn Afghanistan via Iran and is increasing border security as a result, according to Turkish media.
Turkey is strengthening its eastern border with Iran due to the possibility of more migration from Afghanistan into Turkey via Iran.
The Associated Press reported on Wednesday that Turkey is sending troops to its border with Iran to stop a potential wave of Afghans seeking to enter. Irregular migration from Afghanistan to Turkey via Iran is already increasing as people who fled the war weeks ago finish the journey through Iran, according to the outlet.
The news follows recent reports in Turkish media on reinforcements to the eastern border. Turkey started building a border wall in the Van province earlier this month, as well as a watchtower. The wall will be lined with barbed wire, and authorities expect it to be finished by the end of the year. The wall is being built to guard against “illegal passages,” the official Anadolu Agency reported.
Anadolu reported in July that hundreds of Afghans came to Turkey via Iran, ultimately seeking to go to Europe. Some of them alleged mistreatment by Iranian authorities.
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar visited the Iranian border on Sunday to inspect security measures. The visit was in anticipation of more refugees coming, and the minister discussed arrivals from Afghanistan, the pro-government Daily Sabah reported....
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There are estimates that up to three million people will be heading west over the next year with Berlin's Charlottenburg and London's Mayfair as particularly popular destinations.
