More than 230 migrants trying to cross the Belarusian-Polish border

Security/International

25-11-2021, 20:32

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Follow - up - INA

Polish Border Guard service, said Thursday that more than 230 migrants attacked Polish troops to try to cross the border, while Belarusians soldiers accused of taking part in the attack.

Тhe agency said in a statement followed by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "more than 230 migrants tried to cross the border from Belarus to Poland by force.".

The European Union and the United States accuse Belarus of orchestrating the migration crisis in response to the European sanctions imposed on President Alexander Lukashenko after the protests were suppressed following the contested presidential elections.

The agency added, "The attackers used stones and tree branches during their attack on the Polish units, which led to the destruction of part of the barbed wire fence," accusing Belarusian soldiers of participating in the attack by shining lights and lasers on Polish soldiers.

"Five teenage migrants were taken to hospital, while other migrants were returned to the Belarusian side of the border," said border guard spokeswoman Anna Michalska.

On Wednesday, Polish border guards recorded 375 attempts to cross the border with Belarus illegally.

Polish media estimates that "at least ten people have died on both sides of the border since the crisis began this summer."