Serbia: Man shot in border town clash between migrants and smugglers
A police operation following a shooting incident uncovered around 600 migrants near the border with Hungary, including weapons. Some 1,000 people had to be taken to safety.
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Samia, an Algerian in northern Serbia: 'The next step is Hungary but the children are tired'
Samia first left Algeria with her two small children to join her husband in Turkey. Together, they then took the Balkan route with the goal of reaching France, where Samia's sister lives. The family is now stuck in northern Serbia, where they are waiting to cross the Hungarian border.
Passing through Serbia in the hope of making it into the EU
More than 100,000 people have entered the European Union via the western Balkans without documentation this year. The Obrenovac camp near Serbia's capital, Belgrade, has become a transit point for migrants from around the world, some of whom have spent years on the road.
'Police come for us at night': Belgrade, a crucial but hostile layover city for migrants on the Balkan route
Serbia's capital Belgrade serves as a layover for many migrants on the Balkan route. However, the hundreds of Syrian, Afghan or Moroccan migrants passing through every day only have two accommodation options: an overcrowded and remote camp, or the streets and parks of the city.
EU and North Macedonia sign Frontex deal
The EU says it is hoping to strengthen its cooperation with Balkan countries in its efforts to curb irregular migration. However, some find that deals with countries like North Macedonia are somewhat one-sided, revealing that the EU is flexing its muscle in some of Europe's most impoverished regions.
EU commission wants to expand Frontex presence on Balkan borders
The European Commission has proposed a new aid package worth over €39 million to increase border controls and 'migration management.' They also want to send Frontex officials to non-EU borders in the Balkans.
Border controls in Slovakia lead to increased interception of migrant entries
There has been an increase in the interceptions of undocumented migrants at the Slovakian border, after patrols were intensified due to the reinstatement of border controls by the Czech Republic and Austria in the Schengen area.
Why has the Balkan migrant route become more active again?
Countries along the Balkan route are stepping up border controls in an attempt to stem irregular migration. An increasing number of migrants have been taking this route since this summer -- what accounts for this phenomenon? Several hypotheses exist.
Bulgaria records sharp increase in migrant arrivals from Turkey
The number of migrants and refugees who cross from Turkey into Bulgaria has increased sharply. So far this year, border authorities have recorded 85,000 arrivals – more than double the figure for the whole of 2021.
Bosnia and Herzegovina deports Pakistani migrants
The government of Bosnia and Herzegovina announced it was beginning to deport migrants back to their home countries. The measure began on Sunday with a test case of two Pakistani nationals on a commercial flight.
Alleged migrant smuggler detained in Slovenia
Slovenian police have detained a Syrian national, alleged to have transported 17 migrants using irregular means. The foreign minister meanwhile announced that Slovenia would start to tear down a razor wire fortification on its border with Croatia.
Refugee numbers in Serbia up 55% on 2021
The Serbian authorities reported in late June that there were just over 7,000 refugees in the country, a 55% increase over the same period of the previous year, mostly due to the war in Ukraine.