Austria Strengthening Border Controls, Sends Army to Help Deal with Migrant Influx

Austria said on Monday it will deploy about 2,200 troops to help deal with a massive migrant influx across its border with Hungary.

Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann told reporters in Vienna that the military would be mainly tasked with helping deliver humanitarian aid inside Austria but they "will also assist in a strengthening of border controls where necessary," AFP reported.

The decision came in the wake of Sunday's decision by Germany to reintroduce checks at the country's border with Austria. The move has led to concentration in Austria of thousands of migrants streaming on foot from Hungary every day with the intention to reach Germany.

Refugees from Syria, Iraq and Pakistan sleep at the central station of Frankfurt, Germany, 14 September 2015. Refugees arrived on a train from Austria during the night. They will be taken to refugee shelters.  Photo EPA/BGNES

Also on Monday, Austria's Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner said her country will respect German border controls and that she is also in favour of controls on Austria's eastern border with Hungary but needs the rest of the coalition government to agree to such move, the BBC reported.

"If Germany carries out border controls, Austria must put strengthened border controls in place," Austria's Vice Chancellor Reinhold Mitterlehner said on Monday, according to Reuters. "We are doing that now."

Refugees queue at the border between Austria and Hungary in Nickelsdorf, Austria, 14 September 2015. Austria`s army will be deployed at the border with Hungary to assist police, Chancellor Faymann said.  Photo EPA/BGNES