(5 Mar 2020) Migrants continue to wait near Turkey's northwestern border with Greece for a chance to cross to the European Union. Turkey said Thursday it would deploy special forces along its land border with Greece to prevent Greek authorities from pushing back migrants trying to cross into Europe, after Turkey declared its previously guarded gateways to Europe open.
Thousands of migrants and refugees have tried to cross into Greece from the Turkish land and sea border in the past week.
Clashes have been frequent, with Greek police firing tear gas, stun grenades and water cannon to repel thousands of people trying to breach the border.
Greek authorities say Turkish police have also fired tear gas at them in an effort to disperse border guards.
Turkey's interior minister asserted that more than 130,000 migrants had crossed into Greece since February 27, when Turkey made good on a threat to open its borders and allow migrants and refugees to head for Europe.
He said around 20-25% of those who reached Greece were Syrians.
There was no evidence to support the claim.
Although hundreds of people have managed to cross, most appear to have been caught by Greek authorities.
Many have said they have been summarily pushed back into Turkey after being detained.
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