Three migrants, including two Sudanese nationals, were killed after a drone strike targeted boats suspected of transporting people across the Mediterranean, according to Libyan media reports. The incident took place near the coastal city of Zuwara, a major departure point for irregular migration towards Europe.
The strike was reportedly carried out by a drone operated by Libya’s Government of National Unity in Tripoli. The aircraft was later said to have been shot down after completing the operation. Local reports suggest that Tripoli has recently acquired Ukrainian-made drones and patrol boats as part of security cooperation arrangements.
The move comes amid increased coordination between Libya’s Government of National Unity and Italy, aimed at reducing the number of migrants departing for southern Europe. Italy and the European Union have provided training, equipment and surveillance support to Libyan coastal authorities in an attempt to prevent crossings.
Libya’s geographic position has made it a key transit hub for migrants seeking to reach Europe since state institutions collapsed in 2011. Routes through areas like Zuwara have remained active, despite international efforts to disrupt smuggling networks.
Human rights groups have raised concerns over the growing use of military force to stop migrant boats. They argue that such operations put vulnerable people at greater risk, without addressing the root causes of migration or dismantling organised trafficking networks.
The recent strike highlights the humanitarian toll of this security-focused approach. Migrants find themselves trapped between heavily armed patrols at sea and the control of smuggling groups on land, with few safe alternatives available.
