Libyan military officials have detained over 300 migrants in the country’s desert, en route to the Mediterranean in hopes of reaching Europe.
The 444 Brigade, a militia group affiliated with the Libyan army, released satellite images of the migrants surrounded by soldiers after being apprehended. The group was caught by a desert patrol, and the migrants will be handed over to authorities, according to the brigade’s statement.
Libya has long been a key transit point for migrants from Africa and the Middle East, though many perish in the desert before reaching the Mediterranean. The UN recently reported finding mass graves in the Libyan desert, highlighting the deadly journey. The Sahara has become even more perilous than the Central Mediterranean route, where nearly 1,500 migrants have died or gone missing this year.
Migrants intercepted in Libya often face torture, extortion and severe conditions in detention centers, some of which are run by criminal organizations. Despite these dangers, Libya remains a critical gateway for those attempting to reach Europe. This year alone, around 38,000 migrants have arrived in Italy and Malta from Libya, according to the UN.
