The Libyan Ministry of Interior under the Government of National Unity (GNU) has announced the detention of 87 irregular migrants of various African nationalities during security operations in desert areas surrounding the city of Ghadames.
In a statement, the ministry said that patrols from the Ghadames sector of the Border Guard conducted extensive sweeps across valleys, desert paths, and dirt tracks leading into the historic city. These efforts are part of an ongoing national campaign to curb irregular migration flows through Libya’s southern regions.
Authorities confirmed that initial humanitarian aid was provided to the detained migrants, who were then transported to the sector’s headquarters. Legal procedures are now underway for their transfer to the relevant agencies in accordance with Libyan law.
The ministry reiterated its commitment to bolstering border security and tackling the challenges posed by irregular migration. It stressed that desert patrols would continue in coordination with national security agencies to prevent Libya from being used as a transit point for migrants attempting to reach Europe via the Mediterranean.
Libya’s vast and porous southern border has become a key crossing point for migrants fleeing conflict, poverty, and instability across sub-Saharan Africa. The country remains a major route for those hoping to make the perilous journey northward to the coast and eventually across the sea.
The Interior Ministry’s latest operation reflects continued pressure on Libyan authorities to secure border regions and respond to growing concerns from European partners over migration through the central Mediterranean route.
