By Maroua Sahli
TUNIS, Tunisia (AA) - Tunisian authorities announced the arrest of 42 people from sub-Saharan Africa after the disruption of an illegal migration operation Friday off the coast of Sfax in the central-eastern of the country.
The General Directorate of the National Guard said security forces in the Al-Mahras region in the province of Sfax “foiled a preparation for an illegal maritime border crossing and arrested 13 people from sub-Saharan African nationalities.”
It said that “a house in the area was also raided, resulting in the apprehension of two organizers of illegal sailing operations. Additionally, 17 maritime engines, fuel containers, a boat, food supplies, jewelry, and an unspecified amount of Tunisian currency were seized.”
The National Guard also “arrested an individual in a taxi carrying four people from sub-Saharan African nationalities heading towards the city of Sfax to participate in an illegal, clandestine sailing operation.”
And 25 people with sub-Saharan nationalities were detained as they were moving toward one of the coastal areas of the region to participate in maritime border-crossing operations.
Tunisia has recently witnessed a significant increase in irregular migration rates to Europe, particularly toward the coasts of Italy, amid economic and political crises in the country and various nations in the region.
Tunisian authorities regularly announce the thwarting of migration attempts to European coasts and the apprehension of hundreds of migrants from Tunisia and other African countries.
The European Commission allocated €127 million ($137 million) in September in aid to Tunisia as part of a Memorandum of Understanding between Tunisia and the EU, with a portion dedicated to curbing the influx of irregular migrants.
*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala