Turkey Bans Citizens of Syria, Yemen, and Iraq from Traveling to Belarus

The Turkish Civil Aviation Authority announced on Friday that citizens of Syria, Yemen, and Iraq will no longer be allowed to purchase flight tickets from Turkey to Minsk amid the escalating migrant crisis between Belarus and the European Union. The EU claims that Belarus is encouraging thousands of individuals fleeing war-torn regions to attempt to cross its borders and has threatened to impose new sanctions soon, possibly on Monday, targeting Minsk and the airlines transporting migrants. Turkey and Turkish Airlines face accusations of contributing to the flow of migrants, which Ankara denies. The Turkish aviation authority stated on Twitter, "Regarding the issue of illegal border crossing between the EU and Belarus, it has been decided not to sell travel tickets to citizens of Iraq, Syria, and Yemen wishing to travel to Belarus from our country’s airports, as well as not allowing them to board planes heading there."