On Monday, Libyan security forces arrested 93 illegal migrants in two separate operations south of Kufra, as part of ongoing efforts to combat human smuggling and reinforce border security.
The Southeastern Branch of the Anti-Illegal Migration Authority led the raids under direct orders from Major General Salah Mahmoud Al-Khififi, with field oversight from Colonel Mohamed Ali Al-Fadiel.
The security patrols launched desert operations targeting smuggling routes. In the first raid, officers 260 kilometers south of Kufra intercepted four smuggling vehicles—three Toyota Tundras and one Toyota Sequoia—transporting 68 migrants.
Hours earlier, in a separate operation 90 kilometers south of Kufra, authorities stopped another Toyota Tundra carrying 25 migrants attempting to cross further into Libya.
Libyan officials reaffirmed their commitment to cracking down on human trafficking networks, stressing that security operations will continue, border controls will be tightened, and traffickers will face legal action. Authorities warned that human trafficking poses a serious threat to Libya’s stability, fueling organized crime and regional insecurity.
Kufra, a major transit hub for irregular migration, remains a hotspot for trafficking networks that exploit Libya’s vast desert terrain. Despite intensified security measures, smugglers continue to use remote desert routes to transport migrants toward northern Libya and across the Mediterranean.
With migration pressures rising due to economic instability and regional conflicts, Libya’s security forces are under growing pressure to strengthen enforcement efforts while balancing humanitarian concerns.
Officials have called for greater international cooperation to combat human smuggling, secure Libya’s borders, and address the root causes driving migrants to risk dangerous journeys.
