Three kilometers of the 63-kilometer-wall have reportedly been completed of the construct, built with 7-tonnes blocks that stand 3 meters tall.

Some 76 watchtowers have been built alongside the border crossing, with 103 electrooptical towers are still in the works to implement both visual and infrared surveillance on the border fraction. 

The Turkish authorities have also dug up 110 kilometers of trenches in their attempts to stop immigration through the land crossings, an effort that was ramped up following the recent wave of migrants coming to Turkey from Afghanistan. 

Van is often a stop for migrants trying to cross over to Europe from the Middle East, most recently the destination of Afghan migrants fleeing their homeland to avoid violent clashes between state forces and the Taliban.