Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Faraj Abdullah
Published on 2024-03-15 22:21:37
The eastern region of Libya, controlled by the Libyan National Army (LNA) under Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, has experienced a significant decrease in the number of illegal migrants attempting to reach Europe, as reported by the Italian news agency Nova. This shift marks a notable contrast from previous patterns, with fewer migrants now departing from eastern Libya compared to areas under the Tripoli-based government led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh.
At the beginning of 2023, there was a surprising uptick in the number of migrants leaving from eastern Libya, but this trend has since reversed. Only 50 migrants have left from the Cyrenaica region this year, a stark contrast to the thousands departing from Tripoli. This decline is largely attributed to the LNA’s intensified efforts to combat human smuggling networks and illegal migration in territories under its control, including Cyrenaica, Fezzan, and other areas.
Under Field Marshal Haftar’s leadership, the LNA has successfully dismantled smuggling infrastructure, implemented stringent security measures on borders and coastlines, and effectively reduced the flow of irregular migrants. Data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicates that Libyan authorities intercepted and returned 1,915 illegal migrants between January 9 and March 15 alone.
In contrast, western Libya is currently experiencing a surge in irregular migration activity, with departures mainly originating from the Tripoli area. However, there has been a significant decline in migrant arrivals to Italy, with the Italian Interior Ministry reporting a 67.1% year-on-year decrease in arrivals since the beginning of 2024. Only around 6,560 migrants have arrived in Italy during this period, compared to 19,937 last year.
Nova highlighted that nearly two-thirds of total migrant arrivals in Italy came from Libya, while only 86.1% originated from Tunisia, representing an 86% drop from the previous year. The central Mediterranean route remains one of the most perilous migration paths globally, with the IOM recording 190 migrant fatalities and 9 missing at sea between January 1 and March 15. Tragically, some migrants succumbed to starvation and dehydration mere days after departing Libya.
While the LNA’s crackdown has significantly reduced migrant flows from the east, the battle against human smugglers and traffickers facilitating dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean continues. The efforts to combat illegal migration and preserve human lives remain ongoing challenges for authorities in the region.
Read the original article on Libya Update
