Libya disrupts trafficking hub used by Europe-bound migrants

Libyan Express

5 days ago

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Libyan authorities have freed 104 migrants who were being held by a human trafficking network in the eastern city of Ajdabiya, according to a statement issued by the Attorney General's Office on Monday.
Five suspects — Libyan, Sudanese, and Egyptian nationals — were arrested during the security operation. They are accused of unlawfully detaining and torturing migrants in order to extort ransom payments from their families. Prosecutors stated that the victims had been subjected to severe physical abuse and inhumane conditions while held in captivity.
The suspects remain in pre-trial detention, while investigations continue into dismantling the wider trafficking network and prosecuting those involved in grave violations of human rights.
Libya as a transit hub: crossings surge in 2025
Libya remains one of the principal departure points for migrants and asylum seekers attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe. The country's ongoing instability, porous borders, and presence of armed groups have made it a stronghold for smuggling and trafficking networks.
According to the latest figures:
Approximately 28,000 migrants have reached Italy from Libya in the first half of 2025 — nearly double the number recorded during the same period last year.
The Central Mediterranean route recorded around 29,300 irregular crossings between January and June 2025, representing a 12% increase year-on-year.
While total irregular entries into the European Union have declined by 20% (to 75,900), the Central Mediterranean now accounts for nearly 40% of all arrivals — making it the busiest and most dangerous route into Europe.
As of May, at least 846 people have died or gone missing attempting the sea crossing in 2025, according to IOM data — highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
Origin countries and shifting migration routes
Recent data also reveal that a significant proportion of migrants arriving via the Western Mediterranean route (primarily into Spain) originate from West Africa. The most common nationalities include:
Mali – 47.9%
Morocco – 16.5%
Somalia – 13.5%
These migration flows reflect broader patterns driven by armed conflict, political instability, and economic hardship across the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and North Africa.
European response and Libya's role
The surge in crossings has prompted the European Union to intensify pressure on Libyan authorities to crack down on trafficking networks and enhance border control mechanisms. In parallel, the EU continues to support naval missions such as EUNAVFOR MED Irini, which is tasked with intercepting arms smuggling and monitoring violations of the UN arms embargo on Libya — but also plays a growing role in monitoring irregular migration routes.
While the EU's focus remains on strengthening border security and curbing smuggling, humanitarian organisations have raised concerns about conditions faced by migrants intercepted at sea and returned to Libya, where many face detention, abuse, or further exploitation.
Efforts are ongoing to strike a balance between security cooperation and protection of migrant rights — a complex and urgent challenge as migration pressure on southern European states continues to grow.