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.

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—mostly from Egypt and sub-Saharan Africa—lived 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, adding that legal proceedings would follow under Libyan law.

Inside the compound, an AFP journalist observed a fragile informal economy, including a small grocery store, butcher shop, and vegetable stalls, underscoring the migrants’ efforts to survive despite harsh conditions.

Libya, fractured since the 2011 overthrow of Moamer Kadhafi, remains divided between rival governments in Tripoli and the east. The country has become a key departure point for migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean to Italy, 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, a concern given Libya’s widely condemned migrant detention system.

Earlier this month, EU officials from Greece, Italy, and Malta visited Libya to discuss irregular migration flows. The visit reflects growing European pressure to curb crossings amid rising arrivals on southern shores.

Human rights organizations and the United Nations have repeatedly criticized Libya’s treatment of migrants, citing forced returns from international waters, arbitrary detention, and inhumane conditions in holding centers.

Libya’s Interior Ministry estimates that between 3 and 4 million migrants currently reside in the country without legal status, many of whom face exploitation, violence, and limited access to basic services.

The recent crackdown highlights the ongoing human struggle within Libya’s borders, where hope for a better life collides with legal uncertainty, geopolitical friction, and systemic neglect.

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