Turkey has prepared plans to deal with a possible flow of people fleeing the war in neighboring Iran, Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci said on Monday, specifying that the preparations include possible buffer zones along the border and tent camps, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
There is currently no unusual movement through the three border crossings on the Iran-Turkey border, Ciftci added.
Speaking in Ankara, the minister said authorities had prepared three emergency response plans: dealing with a potential flow of migrants from the Iranian side of the border; creating buffer zones along the border if the movement cannot be stopped; and allowing people into Turkey under controlled conditions.
He added that Turkey had prepared an initial capacity to receive up to 90,000 people in case of a sudden influx, including tent camps and temporary accommodation.
Çiftçi said authorities had been informed that Iran was restricting Iranian citizens from leaving the country, while allowing Turkish or third-country citizens to leave Iran.
According to data provided by the minister, around 5,010 people entered Turkey from Iran between March 1 and 3, and 5,495 people left.