ISTANBUL, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Turkish security forces on Tuesday detained 57 suspects in coordinated operations against migrant smuggling networks across 26 provinces, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.
Coordinated by the Gendarmerie General Command, the crackdown involved ground interventions by commando and highway security units, supported by aerial surveillance, the ministry said.
Authorities seized 282 vehicles, as well as 22 boats and marine engines used for illegal border crossings, it said.
According to the Turkish Coast Guard Command, authorities had recorded 186 irregular migration incidents across all Turkish seas as of July 14, involving 4,449 migrants, a drop from 9,604 migrants during the same period in 2025.
However, casualties have risen sharply, with 43 migrant deaths recorded in sea accidents, up from 28 fatalities in the corresponding period last year.
Türkiye hosts over 3.6 million registered foreigners, including 2.24 million Syrians under temporary protection, according to the Interior Ministry.
Separately, Turkish police have detained seven suspects in Istanbul who were preparing for an armed attack, seizing a cache of weapons and explosives, the Istanbul Police Department announced Tuesday.
The operation began after police received reports of gunfire in the Eyupsultan district on Wednesday. Following an investigation, officers caught a suspect in possession of long-barreled weapons and bombs, and subsequently detained other connected individuals during raids across 10 locations, the department said.
Security forces confiscated firearms, homemade explosives, ammunition, and tactical materials intended for the attack, it said.
Authorities did not disclose if the suspects were affiliated with any specific organization. ■
