Authorities in eastern Libya have launched a sweeping campaign targeting undocumented migrants in Benghazi, even as the country faces renewed criticism abroad over its handling of migration.
The Security Operations Department of the Anti-Illegal Migration Agency confirmed the arrest of 105 migrants from various nationalities during a security operation on Saturday. Officials said the migrants were detained in city streets and markets without carrying proper documentation.
On Sunday, the agency explained that the detainees were transferred to the Greater Benghazi Detention Centre, where they will undergo medical, administrative, and security procedures. The agency stressed the importance of cooperation from citizens, shop owners, and factory managers to help regulate the status of foreign workers in accordance with Libyan law.
The agency’s media office underscored that daily operations will continue to track down violators and enforce legal measures.
Major General Salah Al-Khweifi, head of the Anti-Illegal Migration Agency, defended the crackdown, describing it as part of “ongoing efforts to reduce irregular migration and its resulting disorganised presence within cities.” He warned businesses and households against hiring undocumented migrants, noting that the agency had repeatedly highlighted the dangers of unregulated employment.
Al-Khweifi added that national responsibility requires joint cooperation between the agency, citizens, and companies to regularise the status of foreign workers, stressing that such steps are essential for protecting Libya’s national security.
The campaign comes as the Libyan Coast Guard faces accusations from a Norwegian humanitarian organisation, which alleged that its rescue vessel came under fire in the Mediterranean. The incident has reignited international concerns about Libya’s methods in dealing with migration and the treatment of migrants both at sea and on land.
