The General Directorate of Security Operations, under the Parliament-designate government, announced the successful interception of human smugglers and the detention of 14 irregular migrants in the desert area of Wadi Al-Sahl, near the eastern city of Al-Bayda.
In a statement released on Monday via its official Facebook page, the directorate confirmed that its Al-Bayda branch conducted a targeted security operation on Sunday morning. The action was initiated after receiving intelligence regarding increased smuggling activity along the desert route in Al-Bayda.
According to the statement, five patrol units were dispatched to search the area at dawn. During the operation, security forces identified two suspicious vehicles. The first vehicle, coming from the direction of the Ben Khater desert road, was intercepted. Authorities arrested the driver along with nine irregular migrants on board.
Shortly after, the second vehicle was located and stopped. It was found carrying an additional five irregular migrants along with its driver. Both drivers, along with all 14 migrants, were transported to the Al-Bayda branch headquarters for further investigation and legal procedures.
The General Directorate of Security Operations emphasised that efforts to combat human trafficking and irregular migration in Libya will continue. Authorities have intensified security patrols in known smuggling corridors, particularly in the eastern and southern regions of the country.
Libya remains a key transit point for migrants and refugees attempting to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe. The latest operation highlights ongoing security concerns related to human trafficking and underscores the challenges faced by Libyan authorities in curbing these illegal activities.