RIGA, Sept 15 (LETA) - A total of 166 people attempted to illegally enter Latvia from Belarus over weekend, LETA was told at the State Border Guard.

So far this year, border guards have prevented attempts by 9,920 people to illegally enter Latvia from Belarus, while 22 persons have been let into the country on humanitarian grounds this year.

Last year, 5,388 people were stopped from crossing the border illegally and 26 were admitted on humanitarian grounds.

The government has extended the reinforced surveillance regime along Latvia's border with Belarus until December 31, 2025.

The reinforced border security regime is in force in Ludza and the parishes of Ludza municipality, Kraslava and the parishes of Kraslava municipality, Augsdaugava municipality, Daugavpils and the Kaunata parish in Rezekne municipality.

Latvian authorities consider attempts by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko's regime to push migrants across Latvian, Lithuanian and Polish borders to be methods of hybrid warfare targeting these countries.