Rampant smuggling, foreign fighters travel through Turkey to Syria

Refugee and Migrant Crisis

Turkish officials believe the woman suspected of being the accomplice of Islamist militants behind deadly attacks in Paris first traveled through Turkey, and from there into Syria. CCTV’s Natalie Carey reported from Turkey.

Twenty-six-year-old Hayat Boumeddiene is one of Europe’s most wanted women. Turkish officials said she was last seen in the southern Turkish city of Sanliurfa before disappearing into Syria.

Called the “Jihadi highway” by many, Turkey has been challenged by rampant smuggling and attempts by foreign fighters to cross into Syria to join radical extremist groups.

Ankara is taking extreme measures to ensure security along the border like digging trenches, but even the foreign minister admits “a passage can always be found.”

Many want to enter Syria, be them refugees, tradesman, NGOs, journalists or even foreign fighters with their main entry point being the Kilis border crossing. There are thousands of refugees in and around Kilis going into Syria and coming back out making it immensely difficult for Turkish authorities to implement thorough immigration control.

Turkey says more needs to be done by the international community before more of these foreigners get to the country.

CCTV’s Natalie Carey compiled this report from Turkey.