Iraqi Kurdistan brings home migrants trapped at Belarus-Poland border
The Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq said its constituents were lured into emigrating by criminal smugglers.
Hundreds of people returned to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq from Belarus today after attempting to cross into the European Union.
More than 400 migrants arrived at Erbil International Airport from the Belarusian capital Minsk after opting to return home, Kurdish media outlets reported. The flight was arranged by the Kurdistan Regional Government and the federal Iraqi government, a KRG spokesperson tweeted.
Thousands of people from across the Middle East are stuck at the border between Belarus and Poland, hoping to enter the European Union via Poland. Belarusian authorities allowed them into their country, but Polish forces are denying them entry. The EU alleges that Belarus is punishing it for sanctions, though Belarus denies the accusation.
There is a particularly high number of migrants from the Kurdistan Region at the border, including members of the Yazidi community who live in displacement camps. Some told Al-Monitor they fled poverty, fear of an Islamic State resurgence and other problems.
