![African migrants, who arrived in the country illegally, are seen on the street with their limited sources during the International Migrants Day in Tunis, Tunisia on December 18, 2023. [Yassine Gaidi - Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AA-20231218-33216848-33216831-INTERNATIONAL_MIGRANTS_DAY_IN_TUNISIA.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Tunisian authorities yesterday announced the arrest of 64 individuals wanted for having organised and brokered illegal immigration operations.
In a statement, the General Directorate of the Tunisian National Guard (Gendarmerie) said a security operation in Sfax led to the arrests of the individuals who are wanted for their involvement in organising and brokering illegal migration operations, as well as the confiscation of a steel boat.
During the first eight months of 2023 one in three migrants who had entered Europe illegally departed from Tunisia. As a result, the North African country is under increased pressure from the EU to stem the flow of migrants and take control of its coastline.
Read: EU agrees new rules on hosting migrants, and seeks to cut numbers