Situation on Greek-Macedonian border sparks concern

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reported Friday that the situation on Greece's border with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) is becoming extremely tense amid protests and sporadic rioting by stranded migrants and refugees.

According to the IOM, nobody has been able to cross the border since the day riots broke out on Dec. 2 when some 4,058 Syrian, Iraqi and Afghan refugees and migrants were given permission to cross.

This has left some 3,500 migrants of other nationalities stranded on the Greek side of the border, along with 2,500 Syrians, Afghans and Iraqis who are expected to be granted permission to enter the FYROM upon the border's re-opening.

The IOM indicated that another contingent of around 3,200 migrants and refugees is to arrive shortly.

Since November 27, the IOM indicated that Greek authorities have been shuttling between 50-100 stranded migrants every day to a reception facility which can host up to 350 people in the Elliniko area of Athens.

Once there, migrants and refugees mostly from Morocco, Iran, Afghanistan and Algeria, are given food, legal information and psychological support on top of a place to stay.

According to official figures, of the 893,970 maritime arrivals recorded this year, 744,652 have taken place in Greece, the largest entry point into Europe for refugees and migrants hailing from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan and Iran.

Sources: XINHUA