Hungarian army launches border protection exercise amid migrant crisis

PanARMENIAN.Net - Hungary's army has begun exercises to prepare for a possible future role in guarding the southern border to try to stem the influx of migrants, BBC News reports.

Budapest plans to send soldiers to help police at the border where thousands of migrants arrive from Serbia every day.

A new razor-wire barrier is already being built along the frontier. MPs are expected to vote on stricter border controls later this month.

Authorities have been told to expect 40,000 more migrants by next week.

Many of them are fleeing conflicts in countries like Syria and Libya and are trying to travel through Hungary to Germany, Austria and Sweden - wealthier EU nations with more liberal asylum laws.

The Hungarian army launched the Decisive Action exercises on Wednesday, September 9 to prepare for its possible new role, pending a vote in parliament.

Hungary has become a key point on the journey north for the migrants, with more than 150,000 people arriving this year.