Libya: Over 2,100 migrants intercepted, detained in Tobruk operations

Libyan authorities have intercepted and detained more than 2,100 migrants in a series of operations in and around Tobruk, according to Migrant Rescue Watch.

In a series of posts on X, the organisation reported that Libyan joint security forces carried out a large-scale operation in Tobruk targeting undocumented migrants, resulting in the apprehension of more than 2,000 people.

The migrants were subsequently transferred into the custody of Libya’s Department for Combating Illegal Migration (DCIM).

The Libyan Red Crescent, Tobruk branch, reportedly launched an emergency response following the operation, providing the detained migrants with basic humanitarian assistance and medical care.

In a separate maritime interception on September 23, the Libyan Special Naval Forces, known as Al-Sa’iqa, intercepted a rubber boat carrying 30 migrants off the coast of Tobruk.

According to Migrant Rescue Watch, the migrants were attempting to reach Greece by sea. They were disembarked at Tobruk Naval Base before being handed over to the DCIM.

Two days earlier, on September 22, the Libyan Coast Guard intercepted another rubber boat off Ras Al-Tin, about 45 nautical miles north of the Libyan coast.

The boat was carrying 33 migrants, comprising 18 Bangladeshis and 15 Sudanese nationals. They were also taken to Tobruk Naval Base and transferred to DCIM custody.

In another incident, the Libyan Coast Guard rescued 38 Sudanese migrants from a drifting boat off Ain Ghazala, about 36 nautical miles north of the coast.

The rescued migrants were brought ashore at Tobruk Naval Base and handed over to the DCIM.

The reported incidents highlight the continued interception of migrants attempting to cross the central Mediterranean from Libya towards Europe, as well as the large-scale detention of undocumented migrants inside Libya.

Migrant Rescue Watch’s reports did not provide further details on the conditions or duration of detention of those transferred to DCIM custody.