In light of the growing concerns regarding terrorism, smuggling, organized crime, and combating human trafficking, Tunisian security authorities have heightened alert levels and mobilized forces in its border provinces with Libya and Algeria.
This move comes following an increase in the number of African migrants from sub-Saharan countries aiming to embark on irregular migration journeys towards the southern coasts of Europe.
The surveillance along the Tunisian-Libyan border has been intensified following recent violent events and exchange of gunfire incidents at the Ras Jedir border crossing from the Libyan side days ago.
Consequently, security authorities in both countries issued a temporary closure order affecting travelers and commercial traffic in both directions.
Despite keeping the Zuhairia desert crossing (from the Tataouine province in the far south of Tunisia) open, movement between the two countries has significantly decreased as around 90% of travelers and traders typically utilize the Ras Jedir crossing, given its proximity to coastal cities in both Tunisia and Libya, unlike the other crossing which requires traversing desolate desert provinces.
Tunisian Interior Minister Kamal Al-Faqi and his Libyan counterpart Emad Al-Tarabulsi convened a working session with senior security personnel from both countries weeks ago, announcing enhanced bilateral coordination in combating smuggling, drugs, terrorism, and illegal migration.
This decision follows a rapid increase in the pace of illegal migration by sub-Saharan Africans using the coastal areas of both Tunisia and Libya as well as the territories of both countries.
Similarly, Tunisian Interior Minister Kamal Al-Faqi and senior security officials in the ministry and the elite forces of the National Guard have intensified surveillance of the Tunisian-Algerian border areas and the western provinces of the country, which have long been plagued by smuggling gangs operating in forests and mountains for decades.
These areas have also witnessed some of the most dangerous terrorist attacks and incidents of arms smuggling and fugitives evading justice over the past two decades.
Tunisian security forces have discovered an increasing number of sub-Saharan migrants infiltrating Tunisia over the past days and weeks, considering it the closest transit country towards Italy and southern Europe.
Following a week-long working visit by the Interior Minister and senior security officials to the Siliana province and the announcement of an enhanced “counter-terrorism and anti-smuggling” plan, the border province of Kef with Algeria witnessed work sessions, security drills, and “white operations” involving elite forces in police sectors, the National Guard, civil protection, and counter-terrorism and anti-smuggling units.
The official website of the Ministry of Interior has posted footage of “white operations securing the land borders” at the advanced border center of the National Guard “Attarisha” in the Kalaat Senan region, which hosts one of the land crossings linking western Tunisia and eastern Algeria.
