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.
