The Libyan Navy on Sunday announced the interception of a wooden boat carrying 95 irregular migrants off the country’s coastline, as part of its ongoing maritime patrols.
According to a statement from the Libyan Naval Forces General Staff, the operation was carried out by the Coast Guard, which falls under the authority of the Navy. The migrants were of Egyptian and Sudanese nationalities.
Following the interception, the migrants were handed over to the Directorate for Combating Illegal Migration, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Interior. No casualties were reported during the operation.
The Navy stated that the operation comes within the framework of its continued efforts to protect Libyan territorial waters and curb the flow of irregular migration. Naval patrols remain active along key coastal routes, where human trafficking and smuggling networks are frequently active.
Libya remains a major transit point for migrants seeking to reach Europe via the Mediterranean. Many undertake dangerous journeys in overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels, often with the assistance of smuggling networks. While some are intercepted and returned to Libyan detention centres, others perish at sea.
The General Staff reiterated its commitment to upholding national security and supporting international efforts to tackle illegal migration. It also urged greater cooperation with regional partners to address the root causes of migration and improve border management.
The interception highlights ongoing challenges faced by Libyan authorities in monitoring extensive coastlines amid fragile security conditions. It also reflects the pressures on Libyan institutions tasked with migration management in the absence of a unified national government.
