Libyan authorities have released 25 young Kurdish men who were detained while attempting to use Libya as a transit point for irregular migration to Europe, according to the Department of Foreign Relations in Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
The release was the result of coordinated diplomatic efforts between the KRG, Libya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Iraqi Embassy in Tripoli. Officials confirmed that the men had been held after being intercepted on their journey, which was organized by human smuggling networks active in Libya.
This latest development comes only days after six other Kurdish migrants were freed under similar circumstances, reflecting an ongoing pattern of young people from the region being drawn into dangerous attempts to cross the Mediterranean.
Authorities in Erbil said that procedures are now in place to ensure the safe return of the 25 men to Kurdistan. Temporary travel documents are being issued since their original passports were confiscated by smugglers before departure.
The case underscores Libya’s continuing role as a key hub for migration toward Europe. Despite years of international efforts to curb human trafficking, Libya remains a departure point for thousands of migrants due to its porous borders and fragile security environment. Smuggling networks in western Libya, in particular, have expanded operations, using increasingly sophisticated methods to move migrants through the country and onto boats bound for Europe.
The dangers remain severe. Every year, thousands risk their lives on the Mediterranean crossing, with a growing number of shipwrecks and drownings reported amid limited coast guard patrols and reduced international monitoring.
Kurdish officials stressed that the release highlights the need for stronger cooperation between countries to dismantle smuggling operations and protect vulnerable young people from exploitation. They also urged youth in the region to avoid traffickers’ promises, warning that irregular migration often ends in detention, extortion, or death at sea.
