Bosnian authorities have expressed concern about an increase in violence between migrants arriving in the country along the Balkan route.

Over the past two weeks, two people have died, one in Sarajevo and the other in Bihac, in incidents and brawls between rival groups of migrants.

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Zarko Laketa, who is in charge of the national office for foreigners, says security has become the main problem connected to the presence of migrants, who are mostly from Afghanistan, Syria, Pakistan and Morocco.

A rising number of armed and well-organized criminal groups has been reported, in particular in the Afghan community, Laketa told ANSA.

'Armed smuggling groups'

"Unfortunately, armed groups are cropping up to manage migrant smuggling and illegal border crossings to favour the continuation of their journey towards Croatia and other countries of the European Union," he said.

"The migrants arrive in Bosnia-Herzegovina from various countries of central Asia and the Middle East. Relations between them are not good, they are often in conflict and organize armed groups, which is why murders are reported, such as the ones in Sarajevo and Bihac," he added.

"They are in charge of illegally transferring migrants to the European Union. All this has become a very profitable business, which is why these groups are in conflict."

According to Laketa, migrants along the Balkan route don't want to stop in Bosnia-Herzegovina but intend to continue their journey towards EU countries.

"I think that migrants have become a real threat to security and that the European Union needs to do something to help countries along the Balkan route fight this growing violence and threat to security."

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