The Hungarian government has disclosed gripping scenes of deadly weaponry increasingly coming into play at its southern periphery with Serbia. The escalating violence, evidenced by lethal shootouts between smugglers and frequent, fatal vehicular accidents, has rendered the migrant path via the Western Balkans into the European Union increasingly perilous, in spite of the continuing surge in the number of newcomers.
Only last week, a fatal clash between competing factions resulted in a minimum of three casualties, presumed to be of Afghan origin. The confrontation erupted in forsaken agricultural structures, mere hundreds of meters from the fortified Hungarian boundary.
The rise in brutality is attributed by officials to the power struggle among Moroccan, Afghan and Syrian networks. These unauthorized groups manipulate both the access to, and departure from, Hungary’s southern border with Serbia.
Communities located along the Serbian border, including the townships of Horgos, Hajdukovo, and the city of Subotica, have beseeched law enforcement to reinstate tranquility. Accusations of corruption, involving police forces from both sides aiding and abetting smugglers are rife.
Despite an imposing barrier, daily arrests and expulsions, and the prime minister’s aggressive stance on immigration, Austria and Slovakia express grievances about the number of migrants that make it to their territories via Hungary.
Among those journeying to seek a better life is Sadar, a former Afghan military officer who related his experiences with smugglers, describing their cruelty at times, although they could also be kind, providing food and decent lodging. Sadar is just one among many attempting to traverse this perilous route, heading from Istanbul to Germany, despite the knowledge of the risks involved.
Instances of minors being terrorized by smugglers for attempting to breach the Hungarian barrier without compensation have been recorded. The appearance of automatic firearms from Kosovo in the area has introduced a new level of risk to the whole affair, leading to deadly incidents.
Local residents struggle to distinguish between traffickers and refugees, further complicating the situation, as migrants too are victims of circumstance.
An activist reports that the barrier erected is a means to maintain oversight over payments for illegal border crossing, thereby effectively creating an alternative revenue stream.
Alarming visuals have suggested an emerging fascination with weaponry among the smuggling crews. Enhanced security measures on the Hungarian side have recorded instances of violence and vandalism, reinforcing the perception of an escalating crisis.
On the other side of the equation, there are accounts of migrants subjected to abuse by officers and so-named “border-hunters”, although these allegations are rebuffed by Hungarian officials.
Notwithstanding these grim undercurrents, a significant number continue to undertake the perilous journey. Hungary’s response, however, has been the forced return of many across the border – a controversial measure at odds with international law.
The unchecked smuggler activity has left traces across the land, such as the wreckage of captured smuggler cars strewn across the region and records of high-speed chases ending in accidents. These circumstances bear testament to an increased desperation, as drivers are now paid only upon successful completion of their illicit transport task. The ramifications seem to be spilled over into neighboring Austria where evasion of law enforcement has likewise increased.
Thus, what used to be termed “the game” by youthful migrants has evolved into a deadly gauntlet run, a tiny thread of hope woven among dire circumstances, where survival is the only winning card.
