Last Updated: Friday, 26 May 2023, 13:32 GMT

Hungarian army readies for role in guarding border with Serbia

Publisher Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Publication Date 10 September 2015
Cite as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Hungarian army readies for role in guarding border with Serbia, 10 September 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/561d04334.html [accessed 27 May 2023]
DisclaimerThis is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

September 10, 2015

Hundreds of migrants broke through police lines in Hungary near the Serbian border for a third day running September 9, as the army began mobilizing for a possible role in guarding the frontier.

The break-out of at least 400 migrants took place near Roszke, the main crossing point from Serbia, where 2,529 migrants, including 455 children, were waiting to register with authorities. Most were Syrian, Afghan or Pakistani.

Shouting "No camp," they scattered in all directions, some heading for a nearby motorway leading to Budapest, which police then temporarily closed down. The migrants later agreed to be taken to a refugee camp in western Hungary.

It was the latest in a series of tense confrontations between police and desperate migrants as Hungarian authorities struggle to cope with thousands of new arrivals every day.

Hungary's army launched an exercise called "Decisive Action" to prepare for a possible role in border control, pending a vote in parliament later September on the issue.

"It is our job to make sure Hungary is defended," General Tibor Benko told the M1 channel.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP

Link to original story on RFE/RL website

Copyright notice: Copyright (c) 2007-2009. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036

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