Turkey deports 50 Somali youths as nearly 300 reportedly face expulsion

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Turkish authorities have deported 50 Somali nationals to Mogadishu, according to information obtained by Somali media, as nearly 300 Somali youths are reportedly being held at a facility in Istanbul awaiting possible deportation.

The group that arrived at Mogadishu's Aden Adde International Airport comprised 25 men and 25 women, according to sources familiar with the arrivals.

The 50 deportees are reportedly the first group among nearly 300 Somali youths who have been rounded up in recent days and taken to a detention facility in Istanbul ahead of possible removal from Turkey.

Some of the youths contacted by Somali media said they had not committed any offences in Turkey. They said those facing deportation included university students and people working in the country.

Others, however, were reportedly suspected of involvement in irregular migration activities, according to information gathered about the group.

The circumstances surrounding the deportations remained unclear, including the specific grounds cited by Turkish authorities for removing the individuals.

Somalia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was not aware of the situation involving the deported youths when contacted for comment.

The ministry also said Turkey had the right to deport people it did not want to remain in the country, according to the response provided to Somali media.

It was not immediately clear whether the deportees had been given access to legal proceedings or whether individual deportation orders had been issued in their cases.

Turkey has previously deported Somali nationals from the country, although the scale of the latest reported operation and the reasons behind it could not immediately be independently verified.

Turkey has for years been an important destination and transit point for Somalis seeking opportunities in Europe. Some migrants have used routes through Turkey to reach Greece and other European countries, often through irregular migration networks.

The reported deportations come as Turkey has stepped up efforts in recent years to combat irregular migration and tighten controls on foreigners residing in the country.

Turkey has also maintained close political, economic and security ties with Somalia, including cooperation on defence, development and humanitarian assistance.

The latest deportations could raise concerns among Somali families and students in Turkey, particularly if further groups are removed from the country.

There was no immediate detailed statement from Turkish authorities explaining the reported deportations or confirming the number of Somali nationals currently facing removal.

The reported arrival of the 50 Somalis in Mogadishu is expected to draw further attention to the treatment of Somali nationals in Turkey and the growing challenges facing migrants using Turkey as a route towards Europe.

GAROWE ONLINE