Tunisia thwarts 88 irregular migration operations in 3 days

The Tunisian National Guard rescues irregular migrants off the city of Sfax as they try to make their way to Europe [Yassine Gaidi – Anadolu Agency]

Tunisian authorities yesterday announced that they had thwarted 88 irregular migration operations within three days and rescued 1,128 people.

The General Administration of the National Guard said on Facebook that irregular migration operations were thwarted on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday along the Tunisian coast.

The National body added that regional units of the Naval Guard in the centre and Sfax thwarted 33 crossing attempts and rescued 791 people, including 543 from sub-Saharan Africa and 248 Tunisians.

He continued: “The regional units of the Marine Guard in the Sahel and the National Guard in Nabeul (northeast) were able to thwart 55 stealth crossings of the maritime border and rescue 337 Tunisians.”

Recently, Tunisia has witnessed a remarkable increase in irregular migration to Europe, especially towards the coast of Italy, against the backdrop of economic and political crises in the country and various countries in the region.

READ: Tunisia rejects EU financial aid, casting doubt on an immigration deal

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