Libyan Authorities Detain 1,500 Undocumented Migrants in Tripoli Raid
Libyan authorities detained approximately 1,500 undocumented migrant workers during a large-scale raid on informal settlements east of Tripoli on Saturday, exposing the precarious living conditions of foreign laborers in the war-torn country, reports 24brussels.
The operation, led by the Anti-Illegal Immigration Authority and overseen by Labour Minister Ali al-Abed, targeted makeshift housing compounds enclosed by high walls and gates, where migrants—primarily from Egypt and sub-Saharan Africa—resided without residency permits, passports, or health records.
Al-Abed described the site as unsafe and unregulated, lacking basic standards for housing, sanitation, and occupational safety. “These groups have not undergone any formal procedures or health screenings,” he stated, emphasizing that legal proceedings would follow under Libyan law.
Inside the compound, an AFP journalist observed a fragile informal economy, which included a small grocery store, butcher shop, and vegetable stalls, underscoring the migrants’ efforts to survive despite inhumane conditions.
Libya, fractured since the 2011 overthrow of Moamer Kadhafi, remains divided between rival governments in Tripoli and the east. The country has emerged as a key departure point for migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean to Italy, situated just 300 kilometers away.
The fate of the detained migrants remains uncertain. Authorities have not confirmed whether they will face immediate deportation or prolonged detention, raising concerns regarding Libya’s widely condemned migrant detention system.
Earlier this month, EU officials from Greece, Italy, and Malta visited Libya to discuss irregular migration flows, reflecting increasing pressure from European nations to curb crossings amid a surge of arrivals on southern shores.
Human rights organizations and the United Nations have continuously criticized Libya’s treatment of migrants, spotlighting forced returns from international waters, arbitrary detention, and inhumane conditions in holding centers.
An estimate from Libya’s Interior Ministry suggests that between 3 and 4 million migrants currently reside in the country without legal status, with many facing exploitation, violence, and limited access to essential services.
The recent crackdown underscores the ongoing human struggle within Libya’s borders, where aspirations for a better life collide with legal uncertainty, geopolitical friction, and systemic neglect.
