BRADLEY SECKER
-Photojournalist

Young Afghans rest under a bridge, next to some railway lines on the outskirts of the eastern Turkish city of Tatvan. As Afghanistan comes under Taliban rule, tens of thousands have fled westward through Iran, and then Turkey, in search of safety, stabili

Young Afghans rest under a bridge, next to some railway lines on the outskirts of the eastern Turkish city of Tatvan. As Afghanistan comes under Taliban rule, tens of thousands have fled westward through Iran, and then Turkey, in search of safety, stabili

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Turkey, Çaldiran. Turkish Jandarma forces operating in the border area with Iran, where they have established a checkpoint on the main roads. A newly constructed border wall seen snaking through the mountains, as an attempt to prevent increasing numbers o
Turkey, Çaldiran. Turkish Jandarma forces operating in the border area with Iran, where they have established a checkpoint on the main roads. A newly constructed border wall seen snaking through the mountains, as an attempt to prevent increasing numbers of Afghans from illegally crossing into Turkey. Tens of thousands of Afghans have fled the Taliban take over of Afghanistan, with many heading to Turkey to reach work in Istanbul, or to smuggle themselves into Europe, via Turkey.
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Afghan men sleep on a railway line in the city of Tatvan, eastern Turkey. After crossing into Turkey from Iran, the migrants have already been on the road for weeks, and still have a long journey ahead, to western Turkey and/or Europe, where many hope to
Afghan men sleep on a railway line in the city of Tatvan, eastern Turkey. After crossing into Turkey from Iran, the migrants have already been on the road for weeks, and still have a long journey ahead, to western Turkey and/or Europe, where many hope to find employment and safety.
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2021 - Van, Eastern Turkey.


After the Taliban took control of Kabul and the majority of Afghanistan, thousands of Afghans fled westwards, through Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey, en route to what they hope would be more opportunities, and increased security in Turkey or Western Europe. 


This series was shot in late 2021, on Turkey's eastern border with Iran, a long time smuggling route for Afghans and migrants crossing informally. Turkey has since built a concrete border wall, to stem the numbers of people reaching their territory, and has stepped up anti-smuggling operations. 

Approximately 400 migrants from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran, who have been caught by the Turkish Jandarma and security services, await processing at a checkpoint near the town of Çaldiran, close to Turkey's border with Iran. Around 300 of these people
Approximately 400 migrants from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran, who have been caught by the Turkish Jandarma and security services, await processing at a checkpoint near the town of Çaldiran, close to Turkey's border with Iran. Around 300 of these people were discovered at the checkpoint, crammed inside one HGV truck, struggling to breathe.
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A young man from Afghanistan sleeps using a brick as a pillow, under a bridge, next to some railway lines on the outskirts of the eastern Turkish city of Tatvan. As Afghanistan comes under Taliban rule, tens of thousands have fled westward through Iran, a
A young man from Afghanistan sleeps using a brick as a pillow, under a bridge, next to some railway lines on the outskirts of the eastern Turkish city of Tatvan. As Afghanistan comes under Taliban rule, tens of thousands have fled westward through Iran, and then Turkey, in search of safety, stability, and a better future.
info
×
Turkey, Çaldiran. Turkish Jandarma forces operating in the border area with Iran, where they have established a checkpoint on the main roads. A newly constructed border wall seen snaking through the mountains, as an attempt to prevent increasing numbers o
Turkey, Çaldiran. Turkish Jandarma forces operating in the border area with Iran, where they have established a checkpoint on the main roads. A newly constructed border wall seen snaking through the mountains, as an attempt to prevent increasing numbers of Afghans from illegally crossing into Turkey. Tens of thousands of Afghans have fled the Taliban take over of Afghanistan, with many heading to Turkey to reach work in Istanbul, or to smuggle themselves into Europe, via Turkey.
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13 year old Sharzad, from Jalalabad, eastern Afghanistan, sitting under a road bridge in the city of Tatvan, where he has slept the past few nights, out of sight from the Turkish authorities.
13 year old Sharzad, from Jalalabad, eastern Afghanistan, sitting under a road bridge in the city of Tatvan, where he has slept the past few nights, out of sight from the Turkish authorities.
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Turkey, Van. Afghan migrants at an immigration deportation removal centre near Van city, queue for lunch in the cantine. As the Taliban have taken control of Afghanistan, deportations are no longer taking place from Turkey, although they may continue in t
Turkey, Van. Afghan migrants at an immigration deportation removal centre near Van city, queue for lunch in the cantine. As the Taliban have taken control of Afghanistan, deportations are no longer taking place from Turkey, although they may continue in the near future as Turkey maintains communication channels with the group.
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Turkey, Van. Afghan migrants at an immigration deportation removal centre near Van city, queue for lunch in the cantine. As the Taliban have taken control of Afghanistan, deportations are no longer taking place from Turkey, although they may continue in t
Turkey, Van. Afghan migrants at an immigration deportation removal centre near Van city, queue for lunch in the cantine. As the Taliban have taken control of Afghanistan, deportations are no longer taking place from Turkey, although they may continue in the near future as Turkey maintains communication channels with the group.
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A graveyard in Van, Turkey, containing tens of migrant bodies, who's identities are unknown, and instead are listed as numbers. A young girl who lives nearby offers to sell water to those visiting the graves.
A graveyard in Van, Turkey, containing tens of migrant bodies, who's identities are unknown, and instead are listed as numbers. A young girl who lives nearby offers to sell water to those visiting the graves.
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Approximately 400 migrants from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran, who have been caught by the Turkish Jandarma and security services, await processing at a checkpoint near the town of Çaldiran, close to Turkey's border with Iran. Around 300 of these people
Approximately 400 migrants from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran, who have been caught by the Turkish Jandarma and security services, await processing at a checkpoint near the town of Çaldiran, close to Turkey's border with Iran. Around 300 of these people were discovered at the checkpoint, crammed inside one HGV truck, struggling to breathe.
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×
Turkey, Çaldiran. Freshly made concrete blocks which will form the new border wall Turkey is building on its eastern border with Iran, as an attempt to prevent increasing numbers of Afghans from illegally crossing into Turkey. Tens of thousands of Afghans
Turkey, Çaldiran. Freshly made concrete blocks which will form the new border wall Turkey is building on its eastern border with Iran, as an attempt to prevent increasing numbers of Afghans from illegally crossing into Turkey. Tens of thousands of Afghans have fled the Taliban take over of Afghanistan, with many heading to Turkey to reach work in Istanbul, or to smuggle themselves into Europe, via Turkey.
info
×
A young man from Afghanistan sleeps using his backpack as a pillow, under a bridge, next to some railway lines on the outskirts of the eastern Turkish city of Tatvan. As Afghanistan comes under Taliban rule, tens of thousands have fled westward through Ir
A young man from Afghanistan sleeps using his backpack as a pillow, under a bridge, next to some railway lines on the outskirts of the eastern Turkish city of Tatvan. As Afghanistan comes under Taliban rule, tens of thousands have fled westward through Iran, and then Turkey, in search of safety, stability, and a better future.
info
×
The graves of unidentified refugees and migrants, mostly from Afghanistan, in the 'cemetery of the unclaimed', in the city of Van, eastern Turkey. Van's location near Turkey's eastern border with Iran, has made it a key stop on the decades old migration r
The graves of unidentified refugees and migrants, mostly from Afghanistan, in the 'cemetery of the unclaimed', in the city of Van, eastern Turkey. Van's location near Turkey's eastern border with Iran, has made it a key stop on the decades old migration route to Europe.
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Turkey, Van. Detained Afghan migrants at an immigration deportation removal centre near Van city. Hundreds of people are detained here, mostly from Afghanistan, before being processed and granted asylum, temporary protection status, or deported from Turke
Turkey, Van. Detained Afghan migrants at an immigration deportation removal centre near Van city. Hundreds of people are detained here, mostly from Afghanistan, before being processed and granted asylum, temporary protection status, or deported from Turkey.
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Turkey, Çaldiran. Turkish Jandarma forces operating in the border area with Iran, where they have established a checkpoint on the main roads. A newly constructed border wall seen snaking through the mountains, as an attempt to prevent increasing numbers o
Turkey, Çaldiran. Turkish Jandarma forces operating in the border area with Iran, where they have established a checkpoint on the main roads. A newly constructed border wall seen snaking through the mountains, as an attempt to prevent increasing numbers of Afghans from illegally crossing into Turkey. Tens of thousands of Afghans have fled the Taliban take over of Afghanistan, with many heading to Turkey to reach work in Istanbul, or to smuggle themselves into Europe, via Turkey.
info
×
Turkey, Çaldiran. Turkish Jandarma forces operating in the border area with Iran, where they have established a checkpoint on the main roads. A newly constructed border wall seen snaking through the mountains, as an attempt to prevent increasing numbers o
Turkey, Çaldiran. Turkish Jandarma forces operating in the border area with Iran, where they have established a checkpoint on the main roads. A newly constructed border wall seen snaking through the mountains, as an attempt to prevent increasing numbers of Afghans from illegally crossing into Turkey. Tens of thousands of Afghans have fled the Taliban take over of Afghanistan, with many heading to Turkey to reach work in Istanbul, or to smuggle themselves into Europe, via Turkey.
info
×
Migratants from Afghanistan gathering in the courtyard of a mosque in the city centre on Van. Van is in eastern Turkey, close to the Iranian border, and a common stop over point for the thousands of Afghan migrants crossing the overland route to Europe ea
Migratants from Afghanistan gathering in the courtyard of a mosque in the city centre on Van. Van is in eastern Turkey, close to the Iranian border, and a common stop over point for the thousands of Afghan migrants crossing the overland route to Europe each year.
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