On Saturday, officials and witnesses reported that Tunisian security forces, supported by aircraft and anti-terrorism units, have begun a large-scale campaign in the city of Sfax aimed at halting the waves of thousands of migrants heading to Italy and targeting human traffickers. Units of the Tunisian National Guard raided homes housing hundreds of migrants, intercepted trucks carrying migrants towards the beaches, seized numerous boats, and arrested smugglers. Special forces units as well as aircraft and dogs were also utilized.
These raids and arrests, which affected hundreds of migrants and several traffickers, occurred while the Italian island of Lampedusa faces a record number of migrants arriving by boat. Local officials described the situation on the small island as "tragic." Hundreds of Tunisian security personnel cordoned off areas known as "black points" in regions such as Jebiniana, Kerkennah, and Mastiriyah in Sfax, which have become key departure points for migration boats heading to Italy.
National Guard Major Hossam al-Din Jabali stated that the aerial operation targets intermediaries and traffickers who profit from people's suffering. Last week, the mayor of the small island of Lampedusa noted that the number of migrants arriving at its shores is increasing, with around 7,000 people from North Africa arriving in just two days.
He added that Lampedusa has now reached a "point of no return and the island is in crisis." Approximately 120,000 migrants have arrived by boat in Italy since the beginning of the year, nearly double the number recorded during the same period in 2022, which was 64,000, according to data from the Italian Interior Ministry. The Tunisian Interior Ministry indicated that the campaign was launched on the orders of President Kais Saied to address the "unacceptable influx of migrants."
Tunisia is under strong pressure from Italy and the European Union, which has also pledged to provide one billion euros from the bloc's funds to help Tunisia's struggling economy in exchange for curbing the flow of migrants.
