Latest news with #DepartmentforCombatingIllegalMigration
Libya Review
2 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Review
Libyan Authorities Arrest 1500 Migrants near Tripoli
Libyan authorities have detained more than 1,500 foreign workers in a large-scale raid on informal settlements east of Tripoli, the Ministry of Labour announced on Saturday. The operation, attended by Labour Minister Ali Al-Abed, targeted what he described as 'large, unregulated housing clusters for foreign labour.' Al-Abed stated that the detained workers, of various nationalities, lacked residence permits, official documentation, or medical checks. 'These groups have not undergone any formal procedures or health screenings,' he said. The workers were taken to facilities under the Department for Combating Illegal Migration, where legal measures will be applied according to Libyan regulations. The targeted area consisted of makeshift camps surrounded by high walls and a large gate. An AFP reporter present at the scene described the camp as having a small grocery shop, a butcher, and a vegetable stand, highlighting the informal economic activity taking place there. Libya remains a key departure point for thousands of irregular migrants aiming to cross the Mediterranean to Italy, located just 300 km away. Many of the detained individuals are believed to be from Egypt and sub-Saharan Africa. It remains unclear whether immediate deportations are planned. The Ministry of Labour said the site failed to meet 'basic requirements for proper housing, health, and occupational safety,' according to the Libyan News Agency. Earlier this month, European Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner, accompanied by ministers from Greece, Italy, and Malta, visited Libya to discuss migration flows. Libyan naval forces regularly intercept migrant boats in international waters and return them to Libya, where humanitarian organisations and the UN have condemned detention conditions as inhumane. The recent crackdown highlights Libya's ongoing efforts to regulate undocumented foreign labour and curb irregular migration amid increasing international scrutiny. Tags: Immigrationlibyamigrantstripoli
Libya Review
04-06-2025
- General
- Libya Review
285 Migrants Arrested in Libya's Al-Jufra
Libya's Al-Jufra Security Directorate has announced the detention of 285 irregular migrants, mostly Sudanese nationals, who were apprehended within the municipality's administrative borders. The migrants were handed over to the Department for Combating Illegal Migration for processing, care, and eventual repatriation. According to a statement posted on the directorate's official Facebook page, the migrants were intercepted and transferred to the town of Hun in central Libya after authorities received a tip-off. The migrants had reportedly entered Al-Jufra's territory on foot, navigating treacherous terrain in an attempt to reach northern Libya. The security directorate noted that the group had chosen 'dangerous and rough routes' as they fled worsening security and living conditions in their home country. Many are believed to be escaping ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises in Sudan. Authorities stressed that the operation was part of a broader effort to control illegal migration through Libya's vast and often porous desert borders. Once in custody, the migrants were provided with basic humanitarian assistance, including food and medical attention, before the start of repatriation procedures. Libya remains a key transit point for migrants and refugees seeking to cross the Mediterranean to Europe. Despite international calls for improved migrant treatment and stronger legal pathways, many continue to risk dangerous journeys through conflict zones and inhospitable terrain. The latest arrest highlights the persistent challenges faced by Libyan authorities in managing migratory flows, particularly in remote southern and central regions like Al-Jufra, where security forces often struggle with limited resources and vast areas to patrol. Tags: Al-Jufralibyamigrantsmigration
Libya Review
03-06-2025
- General
- Libya Review
Over 3,000 Migrants Deported from Libya in May
On Tuesday, Libya's Department for Combating Illegal Migration announced the deportation of 3,099 irregular migrants during May, according to a statement released by the department's media office. The deportees represented 21 different nationalities, highlighting the continued influx of migrants into Libya, which remains a key transit country for individuals attempting to cross into Europe through the central Mediterranean route. The department confirmed that among those deported were individuals with medical conditions and others flagged for legal or security reasons. These cases, the office said, were handled in accordance with national legal procedures before deportation. The statement did not provide further breakdowns regarding the countries of origin or the method of return, but emphasized that all removals were carried out in coordination with the relevant authorities and in compliance with Libyan law. Libya remains a major transit point for migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe. Many migrants, particularly from sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia, arrive in Libya after long journeys through the desert, often in the hands of smuggling networks. Once in the country, they are frequently detained by authorities or captured during anti-smuggling operations in cities or along the coast. Despite international criticism of Libya's migrant detention system—including reports of overcrowding, poor humanitarian conditions, and lack of access to legal assistance—mass deportations continue on a monthly basis. The Department for Combating Illegal Migration conducts these operations in cooperation with various Libyan institutions, and at times with support from international organizations and consulates. The office did not disclose the destinations of those deported in May, but previous deportations have been carried out by air and land, often involving repatriation agreements with countries of origin or regional partners.
Libya Review
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Libya Review
Libya Deports 157 Chadian Migrants from Sebha
The Libyan government designated by the House of Representatives has announced the first voluntary deportation operation from Sebha Airport in over 15 years. The move involved the repatriation of 157 undocumented Chadian migrants, and signals the government's continued rejection of migrant resettlement in Libya. The operation was overseen by Foreign Minister Abdulhadi Al-Hwaij during his inspection visit to Sebha Airport. According to a statement from the foreign ministry, Al-Hwaij closely monitored the procedures and personally interacted with some of the migrants before their departure, wishing them a safe return home. The deportation was carried out in coordination with the Department for Combating Illegal Migration under the Ministry of Interior, along with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Authorities described the mission as a coordinated effort between national institutions and international partners. Al-Hwaij reiterated the Libyan Parliament-designate government's firm stance against any proposals to resettle migrants in Libya or turn the country into a border guard for Europe. He stressed that Libya 'rejects any attempt to make it a destination for illegal migration or a holding zone for migrants destined for Europe.' The foreign minister called for a 'comprehensive and sustainable approach' to the migration issue, highlighting the need for joint efforts between countries of origin, transit, and destination. He urged regional and international collaboration to tackle the underlying causes of irregular migration. Libya remains a major transit hub for African migrants trying to reach Europe. However, the eastern-based government has repeatedly voiced its opposition to becoming a long-term host for migrants. Tags: ChadIOMlibyamigrationRepatriation
Libya Review
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Libya Review
Libya Deports 228 Egyptian Migrants
Libya's Department for Combating Illegal Migration has confirmed the deportation of 228 irregular migrants of Egyptian nationality via the Musaid land border crossing, following the completion of all necessary legal procedures. In a statement, the department said 16 individuals had been ordered deported by the Public Prosecution, while 21 others were found to be suffering from infectious diseases. An additional 140 migrants were deported based on orders from the Military Intelligence Directorate. The remaining deportees included individuals detained during joint security operations for violating residency regulations within Libya. The department clarified that the deportations were carried out in cooperation with various security agencies as part of broader efforts to uphold national security and public health. The department also noted that 26 other Egyptian nationals had previously been deported from its Al-Bayda branch through the same border crossing. Among them were four individuals diagnosed with contagious illnesses. Authorities stressed that these actions fall within Libya's ongoing campaign to reduce irregular migration, maintain public order, and protect the health and safety of citizens and residents alike. The deportation measures come amid mounting challenges in managing migration flows across Libya's porous borders, which have made the country a major transit point for migrants attempting to reach Europe. Human rights organisations have often expressed concern over the conditions faced by detained migrants in Libya. However, Libyan authorities insist that deportation operations follow legal protocols and health screenings. The statement reaffirmed the government's commitment to addressing the migration issue in coordination with neighbouring countries and international partners, while enforcing immigration laws and safeguarding public health. Tags: DeportationEgyptImmigrationlibyamigrants
