Libya’s Ministry of Interior under the Government of National Unity (GNU) has announced the detention of several undocumented migrants near the border with Algeria, as part of intensified efforts to combat illegal migration and smuggling in the region.
According to a statement released on the ministry’s official Facebook page on Wednesday, desert patrol units affiliated with the Ghadames Border Guard sector were deployed at key strategic points along the Algerian frontier. The operation aimed to bolster border security and monitor illicit activity across remote desert tracks.
The ministry reported that patrols successfully intercepted groups of irregular migrants navigating through valleys and smuggling routes commonly used for unauthorised crossings. Following their detention, legal procedures were initiated in line with Libyan law, and the migrants received immediate medical assistance.
This operation forms part of Libya’s broader efforts to manage increasing migration flows through its vast southern borders, which remain largely porous and vulnerable to cross-border trafficking. Authorities have repeatedly expressed concern about Libya becoming a major transit point for migrants aiming to reach Europe via the Mediterranean.
The Ministry of Interior reaffirmed its commitment to reinforcing its border security presence, particularly in high-risk zones such as the Ghadames area, which lies close to key migration and smuggling corridors leading into Algeria.
As migration pressures continue to mount in the region, Libyan officials have called on international partners to increase cooperation and support for border monitoring and migrant assistance, citing limited resources and harsh desert conditions.
