Nearly 1,400 securtity forces have been deployed around the wider area of the Idomeni refugee camp in the northern borders of Greece and FYROM to take part in the police operation to evacuate about 12,000 refugees and migrants and relocate them tom organised hotspots throughout Greece.

According to Greek authorities, the operation will last for a few days with nearly 8,500 people estimated to be relocated with buses to other refugee facilities. George Kyritsis, the head of the coordinating body on the refugee matter, predicted the whole operation would last up to 10 days. Police forces have been ordered to avoid physical confrontation as much as possible, for fear of injuries to women and children among the refugees.

Authorities have instructed security forces to isolate any NGO and solidarity group members for fear they might attempt to stir up refugees and migrants in order to cause scuffles with police. A police helicopter will be hovering over the area during the whole operation. According to information, while some refugees have started to board buses, the majority refuse to leave the area, as they believe the conditions in other reception facilities will not be better than the existing ones at Idomeni while they still hope the borders will eventually open.

Meanhwile, the Greek government has restricted media access to the area, keeping reporters at a 6km distance from the operations underway. It is only providing images and video footage to state broadcasters.