Nearly 300,000 Syrians returned to their homes after the Turkish military conducted successful operations in the region, the interior minister said Saturday.
"The number of Syrians who returned to their country after the Operations Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch is 291,790," Süleyman Soylu said speaking at the second International Coordination Meeting on Irregular Migration.
Turkey conducted two cross-border operations in Syria since 2016 -- Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch -- to eradicate the presence of YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists near Turkey's borders.
Speaking about Turkey's geographical location as the main route for illegal crossings of refugees who want to go to Europe, the Interior minister said that in 2018 so far 251,794 irregular migrants were held during their attempts to illegally cross borders.
He added that Turkish coast guards and security forces continue to work efficiently to prevent illegal crossings.
Turkey has been the main route for refugees trying to cross into Europe, especially since the beginning of the civil war in Syria.
