On Tuesday, Libyan authorities repatriated nearly 1,000 migrants from Egypt and Nigeria who were residing in the country without legal documentation, officials and journalists confirmed. This latest operation follows a series of similar efforts aimed at managing the large migrant population within Libya.
A total of 664 Egyptians were transported by bus to the Emsaed border post, located approximately 1,400 kilometers east of Tripoli. General Mohamad Bardaa, head of the Interior Ministry’s anti-immigration unit, further stated that 300 Nigerians were flown back to their home country.
Libya has faced significant instability since the 2011 overthrow and killing of Muammar Gaddafi, leading to rival administrations and establishing the country as a major hub for illegal migration towards Europe. Many migrants attempting the dangerous sea crossing to Europe fall prey to human trafficking networks that exploit them financially.
Thousands of individuals, predominantly Egyptians, have resided illegally in and around the Libyan capital for years, contributing to the local workforce in agriculture, business, and construction sectors.
Last month, similar repatriation efforts saw the return of 600 Egyptians on November 6th, followed by 250 migrants from Niger and Chad on November 28th.
Data from the International Organization for Migration indicates that between May and June this year, Libya housed over 700,000 migrants, primarily originating from Niger and Egypt.
