The Libyan Coast Guard, operating under the General Command, rescued 45 irregular migrants who were stranded aboard a rubber boat approximately 120 nautical miles north of Tobruk.
According to a statement from the Coast Guard, the rescued migrants were of mixed nationalities, including 23 Egyptians and 22 Sudanese. The rescue operation was carried out after the patrol units detected the distressed vessel in international waters north of the eastern Libyan coast.
Following the rescue, medical and humanitarian assistance was provided to all migrants before transferring them to a shelter center to complete legal and administrative procedures.
This operation comes amid a continuous rise in migrant crossings from Libya’s eastern shores toward Europe, as authorities intensify efforts to combat human smuggling networks operating along the Mediterranean route.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.
