Libyan security forces have successfully liberated 44 migrants who were being held at a camp run by human trafficking networks south of Tobruk.
According to security sources, units from the Security Support Forces, the Internal Security Service, and the General Directorate of Criminal Investigations coordinated to free the migrants from the “Abdul Khaleq” camp, located 35 kilometers south of Tobruk near Nasser Air Base.
The camp, described as “old and abandoned,” was found to be housing migrants in dire conditions.
Many of them suffered from severe dehydration and were in poor health due to the harsh detention circumstances.
Following their rescue, the Libyan security forces provided the migrants with food and water.
The Libyan Migrant Aid Foundation, “Al-Aberin,” reported that before the operation, smugglers had moved 100 other migrants to an undisclosed location, raising concerns about the fate of these individuals.
Reports from migration-focused organizations highlight Libya’s role as a major hub for migrants aiming to reach Italy.
During the first half of 2024, approximately 14,755 migrants departed from Libya and landed on Italian shores, illustrating the persistent challenges of irregular migration across the Mediterranean.
Libya’s outgoing Minister of Interior, Imad Trabelsi, remarked on the growing scale of the crisis, estimating that around 2.5 million migrants currently reside in Libya, with the potential for this number to rise to 3 million.
