On Saturday, Libyan security forces in the southern city of Sebha thwarted an attempt by a group of undocumented migrants to illegally enter the city, according to a statement released by the Sebha Security Directorate.
The operation was carried out by night patrols from the Cairo Police Station, who spotted and intercepted the group during the late hours of the night.
The Directorate did not specify the exact number of individuals detained or the location from which they had traveled. However, the statement emphasized that the migrants were taken into custody as part of broader efforts to curb unauthorized entry into the city, which remains a key transit point for migrants en route to Libya’s northern coast and, eventually, Europe.
Authorities confirmed that legal procedures were being followed in processing the detainees, and that coordination with other state institutions is ongoing to determine the migrants’ identities and status.
The interception comes amid intensified security operations in Sebha, where a joint force made up of units from the Southern Region Oversight Committee and the Sebha Security Directorate recently launched a sweeping campaign to clear informal settlements and illegal housing structures reportedly used by undocumented migrants.
As part of the campaign, security teams also inspected and shut down several unlicensed restaurants and street kiosks that failed to meet public health standards. Officials said many of these establishments were acting as informal gathering points or shelters for undocumented individuals, creating both public safety and health concerns.
The Sebha Security Directorate reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing immigration laws, restoring urban order, and protecting the local community from the consequences of unregulated migration. It also called on residents to cooperate with authorities and report suspicious activity in their neighborhoods.
