TRIPOLI, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- A joint security force in southern Libya launched a major operation from dawn on Tuesday, detaining more than 2,000 irregular migrants in the city of Sabha, about 750 km south of Tripoli, local authorities said.
The Sabha Security Directorate said on Facebook that the operation, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security, dismantle human trafficking networks, and curb illegal migration, targeted gathering sites used by migrants in Sabha's city center and surrounding suburbs.
Video footage of the operation was released by security officials, who vowed to continue operations aimed at restoring public order and securing the southern region.
Sabha is one of the main transit hubs for migrants from sub-Saharan and Central Africa due to its proximity to Libya's southern borders and its links to land trafficking routes. Migrants often travel through the city before attempting Mediterranean crossings to Europe.
The Libyan security directorate and local data indicate that human smuggling activity typically peaks during this time of the year, with attempts escalating ahead of March and April. The rise aligns with improved weather and calmer sea conditions, making Mediterranean crossings by boat more feasible.
