Latvian army to protect border with Belarus amid surge in illegal migrant numbers

RIGA. Aug 15 (Interfax/BNS) - Latvia's State Border Guard (RS) is mobilizing additional forces from Tuesday to protect the country's border, in particular with Belarus, the BNS news agency reported, citing the RS.

The decision was made due to a rapidly growing threat on the joint border, where 96 illegal crossings were attempted yesterday, and also because of what Riga said was the Belarusian authorities' increasing involvement in organizing the influx of illegal migrants, the report said.

RS officials will now be denied their annual leave, while those currently on holiday will be recalled to work.

The RS also has requested additional support from the country's armed forces and the State Police.

This year, Latvia has foiled nearly 5,800 attempts to illegally cross its border with Belarus, but let 292 people into the country on humanitarian grounds, the BNS said, citing RS data.