The migration pressure in Evros is described as unusually high lately, with the Greek Forces remaining vigilant and on full alert. The tragic low river water levelcreates young people “Places of action” with traffickers to seize every opportunity to pass many small groups of immigrants on the Greek side.
According to ThessToday.gr, the phenomenon is constantly monitored, at the moment they take place daily about 200-300 deterrents of immigrants attempted to cross the Greek-Turkish border. The increase in migration flows at the land border is more related to the prevailing weather conditions, which have the effect of lowering the level of the river Evros.
The cross-border river, although it is still spring, in many places has a low level, which “touches” only the 50 cmwhile in ideal conditions it should be 2 to 2.5 meters.
«Although we pass in May, the image of the river is reminiscent of summer, and this facilitates the work of traffickers who use more boats, in which many small groups of migrants are stacked. As soon as the weather cleared, we were on full alert. There are no more specific passages, but they use the entire boundary of the river Evros, and for this reason none of us is left over. A very difficult summer awaits us»Reported to ThessToday.gr the President of the border guards of the prefecture of Evros, Chrysovalantis Gialamas.
Huge battle with traffickers’ circuits
The arrests of traffickers are a continuous phenomenon for the Greek Forces, reaching even 10-15 per week, while the same police sources report that there is concern as migration flows are expected to increase further in the summer.
For their part, immigrants are trying to find every “vacuum»Point to enter our country illegally, choosing to start from small villages, ending up anywhere on the river. Information states that more than 50% of them come from Syriawhile less than Pakistan and Afghanistan.
«We are fighting a huge battle with the circuits. Many times what we see and experience human dramas is extreme, since traffickers play with the lives of these people. We must develop our strengths very often, with the logic that they will always find “something more”. New fronts are opening, new passages are being found, and we need even more means and people to guard our borders with seriousness and absolute professionalism.He emphasizes.
The “ears and eyes” of the border guards are the cameras and radars
According to ThessToday.gr, the great need for staff is at the forefront, which is located near the river. For this reason the separate one was proposed announcement of 100 border guards for the crucial services PROKEKA and KYT, in order to strengthen the patrols at the specific point, something that was not listened to. Recently, the Hellenic Police Headquarters announced a competition for the prevention of 250 fixed-term border guards for the Regional Unit of Evros.
It is recalled that in November, developments in Turkey and Afghanistan forced Greece to put on increased alert and develop border guards along the river Evros. At the same time, 11 pillars were installed, which were equipped with state-of-the-art cameras and radar that are the “ears and eyes” of the border guards, along the Greek-Turkish border. The specific “electronic shield” of Evros, has a range ranging from 3.5 to 15 kilometers inside Turkish territory.
In addition, there are squads, another 400 border guards, and reinforced police forces, at all possible border entrances, even in less prepared areas, so that the river coverage is almost universal, reaching as far as its northern part.
Politico: Greece wants to extend the Evros fence by 80 kilometers
At the same time, according to Politico, Greece is in discussions with the European Commission for its immigration plan for the period 2021-2027. The latest draft proposal sent by Athens states that it should be allowed use EU funds to build a wall along its border with Turkey.
Since 2011 at the land border there is already the 12.5 km fence, while near the crossing of the river Evros, in the area of Fera, a 28 km wall has been built. According to Politico, Greece is looking for money from the EU for another 80 kilometers.
It is noted that the character of the project is characterized as defensive and consists of a strong metal railing (steel) of 5 meters. The upper part of the fence (1.25 m.) Is smooth sheet metal with anti-climbing function and protrusions with barbed concertina. The railing rests on piles that are founded at a depth of 6 meters as the areas show flooding.
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