Tunisia intercepts 426 illegal migration attempts in 13 days

Tunisian authorities announced on Friday the blocking of 426 illegal migration attempts through maritime and ground terminals in 13 days, Anadolu Agency reported.

On Facebook, the Administration of the National Guard Units posted a statement that the operations took place between 15 and 28 September.

“Some 7,756 people were detained after crossing the borders, including 4,174 crossed ground borders and 2,595 crossed maritime borders,” the statement confirmed.

It stated that the 987 migrants out of the 2,595 who crossed the maritime borders were Tunisian and almost all who crossed the ground borders were African.

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The statement also conveyed that the National Guard Units ceased tens of boats and damaged many as they had been used in the transportation of illegal migrants.

The National Guard Units also ceased and damaged vehicles, including cars, trucks and motorcycles, used in the illegal transportation of migrants.

It also said that it prevented 5,596 foreigners from entering Tunisia during the same period to protect Tunisia’s borders.

Earlier this month, the European Commission announced the allocation of €127 million in aid for Tunisia as part of understandings related to fighting illegal migration.

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