The Counter-Terrorism Force (CTF), lead by General Mohammed Zhein, is committed to fight human traffickers. Recent patrols carried out along the coast that stretches from Zliten to Garabulli are a clear message to the organized crime and in particular to human traffickers. Human smugglers are not the only target of the Libyan authorities though. The strict connection between organized crime and terrorism is in fact well known: targeting the first will curb also the second, disrupting the flow of money flowing from criminals to terrorists.
Summer witnesses an increase of departures of illegal migrants from Libyan coasts. Unfortunately many of them are not so lucky to see the end of that journey. CTF actions, aimed at human traffickers and their “facilitators”, will make libyans safer and will save lives.
A soldier of the Counter-Terrorism Force carries out a patrol to fight human traffickers
Counter-Terrorism force dispatches patrols from Zliten and Garabulli
CTF carried out several patrols along the coast between Zliten and Garabulli, checking areas allegedly used by human smugglers to hide illegal migrants and then to put them on a rubber boat towards Europe. During the operation, several vehicles and soldiers were dispatched and hundreds of kilometers were covered. That operation allowed the Force to monitor areas where organized crime thrives.
CTF facebook page shows pictures of officers preparing the operation, men equipping their vehicles and than moving along paved road, dirty tracks and beaches.
Counter-Terrorism Force officers plan the security operation
Counter-Terrorist Force patrols at night between Zliten and Garabulli
A resident of Khoms was impressed by the patrols, saying that “when the authorities show their fist against the organized crime, citizens feel safer. I’m sure that smugglers and their helpers will feel threatened”. A former human trafficker, who prefers not to disclose his name, admitted that “I quit [the human trafficking] because I felt something was changing. I’ve noticed more pressure [from the authorities] and although the money was good, and sometimes enough to buy your liberty back, I was tired of hiding. When people around you become afraid of being put in jail, being a smuggler becomes impossible”.
The coast between Zliten and Garabulli does not experience the same level of human trafficking that affects the west of Libya. Neverthless the authorities decided to show local residents that the Government has the will and the capability to avoid that an heinous phenomena, such human trafficking, rises again.
Libyans support the efforts againts human traffickers
The CTF operation against human trafficking is strongly supported by Libyans who expressed their praise on the facebook page of the Force. Hamza al-Sharif writes “Good luck and God potects you” and God bless, if God wills, our men and brothers who watch over us, may God grant you success and help you serve the country and the citizens”. There is also someone who asks for more patrols in the southern and western parts of Libya, where organized crime is strong and the human smugglers enrich themselves exploiting poor migrants. However, must be said that also other units are committed to fight human traffickers in those areas.
