Greek Government Evacuates Migrants To Mainland, Braces For New Migrant Wave
Country prepares for an influx of migrants from Turkey
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The Greek government has been forced to evacuate more migrants to the mainland from the island of Lesbos as it braces itself for a potential new wave of migrants from Turkey.
Currently, an estimated 13,500 migrants are living at the infamous Moria migrant camp that is only supposed to hold 2,500.
But as the arrival continues to increase, the government has started evacuating migrants and building further accommodations on the island, according to Sveriges Radio.
The European Union border agency, Frontex, is said to be able to stop around eight out of 10 boats attempting to get to Greece from Turkey.
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But the overall demand to reach Europe has increased.
The Moria camp has become infamous for its violence and conflict.
Last month, a migrant woman died as a result of a fire that led to riots in the camp.
Both the mayor of Lesbos and the United Nations have called for the transfer of migrants to the Greek mainland due to the ongoing conflict.
Lesbos mayor Stratos Kytelis also made demands that the government guards the border.
A migrant grooming gang who repeatedly raped a 12-year-old girl in a park have been jailed for a total of 25 years
— Neon Nettle (@NeonNettle) September 24, 2019
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© Neon Nettle
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Last week, Turkey's leader threatened to flood Europe with millions of migrants following criticisms from other European countries about the Turkish invasion of Syria.
Turkish President Recep Erdogan issued a threat to send all 3.6 million migrants living in Turkey into any European countries that refer to the Turkish invasion of Syria as an “occupation.”
This is the second time Erdogan has threatened to weaponize Turkey's migrant population after making a similar threat last month.
Erdogan renewed his threats during a speech to lawmakers from his AK Party on Thursday.
“We will open the gates and send 3.6 million refugees your way,” Erdogan warned, according to the Reuters.
Erdogan’s words come in response to a statement released by the European Union this week, which called on “Turkey to put an end to unilateral military action” in northeastern Syria.
