On Saturday, Libya’s Department for Combating Irregular Migration in Kufra deported 176 undocumented migrants of Chadian nationality.
In a statement, the department said that the deportation operation targeted individuals who were found to have legal violations, including those with security-related restrictions, those diagnosed with serious or contagious diseases, and others involved in cases of human smuggling and irregular migration.
This move is part of Libya’s broader strategy to address the persistent challenges posed by irregular migration, especially in southern border regions like Kufra, which serve as key entry points for migrants attempting to reach northern Libya and, ultimately, Europe.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported that over the past ten years, more than 100,000 migrants in Libya have been assisted in returning to their countries of origin across Africa and Asia.
The returnees include nationals from 49 countries, including Nigeria, Mali, Niger, and Bangladesh.
Among those repatriated since 2014, the majority—approximately 73,000—have been men. However, the IOM has also facilitated the return of around 17,000 women and over 10,000 children, many of whom were unaccompanied minors. These figures reflect the scale and human complexity of Libya’s role as both a transit and host country for migrants fleeing conflict, poverty, and instability.
Currently, the IOM estimates that the number of migrants residing in Libya could exceed 800,000 by the end of 2025. As this number grows, Libyan authorities face increasing pressure to regulate migration flows, enforce immigration laws, and collaborate with international organizations to ensure humane treatment and safe returns for migrants.
