Tensions continued Wednesday along the Greek-Turkish border as Greek authorities fired tear gas and stun grenades to deter migrants crossing over the border from Turkey. Turkey’s decision to open its borders to migrants comes after dozens of Turkish troops were killed amid a Russia-backed Syrian government offensive into Syria’s northwestern Idlib province.
Thousands of migrants have been making their way to the border since Turkey announced last week it would no longer honor a 2016 deal with the European Union to stop illegal migration movements to Europe in return for aid.
Speaking about the border clashes, Advocacy and Policy Officer for asylum and migration at Caritas Europa, Leila Bodeux said that “a humane and dignified response is really needed and this response needs to be a European one, so it means that Greece cannot be left alone.”
Currently, Greece is hosting tens of thousands of people in deteriorating conditions in migrant camps. Ms Bodeux noted that “migrants living in camps on the Greek Islands have been left in limbo who include women and children who don’t have access to basic services.”
