TUNIS: Tunisia has launched a significant crackdown on people smuggling operations, particularly in the coastal region of Sfax, a crucial departure point for migrants attempting to reach Europe.
Under the direct orders of President Kais Saied, Tunisian police, supported by anti-terrorism units and aircraft, executed a sweeping operation.
This effort resulted in the arrest of hundreds of migrants, the confiscation of boats used by smugglers, and the apprehension of several suspected human traffickers. This operation takes place against the backdrop of a mounting migrant crisis on the Italian island of Lampedusa, which has been inundated with an unprecedented number of arrivals from North Africa.
The Tunisian government’s decision to intensify its response to people smuggling is prompted, in part, by pressure from Italy and the European Union (EU).
The EU has committed substantial financial aid to Tunisia’s struggling economy in exchange for assistance in curbing the flow of migrants. Recent days have seen a sharp increase in arrivals, with around 7,000 individuals arriving in Lampedusa from North Africa, prompting appeals for help from the island’s mayor.
Overall, Italy has reported the arrival of approximately 126,000 boat migrants since the start of the year, nearly double the figure recorded during the same period in 2022, according to data from the Italian interior ministry.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called on the EU to take coordinated action, including the possibility of a naval mission, to prevent migrants from crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa.
