The Special Tasks Department of the General Directorate of Security Operations reported yesterday that it seized 59 containers in several locations within the city of Misrata. These containers were loaded with boats suspected of being intended for sale in various cities for use in illegal immigration operations.
The Special Tasks Department said the operation comes as part of its intensified security operations and meticulous tracking of smuggling networks.
This operation, it added, reflects the readiness of its units and their ability to thwart plots targeting the country’s security and stability. It also underscores the continued efforts to pursue those involved and curb this dangerous phenomenon.
IOM report
It will be recalled that the UN’s International Organisation for Migration’s (IOM) Libya Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) programme for May-July 2025 identified a total of 894,890 migrants from 45 nationalities across the 100 Libyan municipalities during the reporting period.
This represents a three per cent increase compared to the previous round of data collection and an 18 per cent increase compared to the same period last year (Round 53). This upward trend has continued since December 2023.
Many of these, mostly sub-Saharan African, migrants use Libya as a launch point across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe through Italy. The seized boats are suspected of being for this people smuggling market. Hundreds die in the sea attempting this crossing.
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