25 Kurdish Migrants in Libya to Be Released and Returned Home

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Department of Foreign Relations of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) announced on Sunday that 25 Kurdish migrants currently held in Libya will soon be released and repatriated to the Kurdistan Region.

The development follows a video call between Ahmed Sahaf, Chargé d'Affaires of the Iraqi Embassy in Libya, and Safeen Dizayee, head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations, during which they spoke directly to the stranded migrants.

According to Salim Pasha, senior advisor to the KRG Foreign Relations Office, the main obstacle preventing the group’s return has been the absence of passports, which smugglers frequently confiscate to restrict migrants’ movements. He explained that the Iraqi Embassy had issued temporary crossing passports, while the KRG Ministry of Interior is facilitating the remaining steps of their return. The only pending requirement, he added, is securing flight tickets.

“These young people are expected to return to the Kurdistan Region as soon as possible,” Pasha said.

He further noted that just days earlier, six Kurdish youths were released from Libyan prisons and repatriated in coordination with the Iraqi Embassy.

Libya has become a major route for illegal migration to Europe, particularly Italy. Many young people from the Kurdistan Region and elsewhere attempt the journey, often facing arrest, detention, and harsh conditions along the way. Many of these migrants endure extreme hardships, including abuse and exploitation, during their journeys. Humanitarian organizations and governments are working together to address the root causes of illegal migration and provide support to those affected.

Also, on March 27, the Iraqi embassy in Tripoli announced the release of several Iraqi nationals who had been detained in Libya for attempting to migrate illegally to Europe.

Read More: Iraqi citizens freed in Libya after months of diplomatic efforts