Tripoli, Libya (KAAB TV) – In a significant security operation, Libya’s elite 444th Special Forces Brigade has successfully rescued 23 Somali nationals, including 13 women and 10 men, from a facility in Tripoli where they were reportedly being held captive by a human trafficking gang.
The mission, which took place earlier this week, marks another major effort by Libyan authorities to combat organized crime and protect vulnerable migrants.
According to an official statement issued by the 444th Brigade, the operation was launched following credible intelligence reports that revealed the location of the hostages.
The victims were being detained in a building allegedly operated by a transnational criminal group engaged in kidnapping, extortion, and the abuse of migrants—a widespread issue in Libya due to ongoing instability and the country’s role as a major transit point for migrants heading toward Europe.
During the raid, five suspects were arrested at the scene. Disturbingly, all of the suspects are also of Somali nationality and are believed to have played key roles in the kidnapping and detention of their fellow citizens.
Authorities stated that the gang had been demanding ransom payments from the victims’ families in Somalia and Europe, often threatening violence or death to coerce payments.
The 444th Brigade confirmed that the victims were immediately transferred to local medical facilities to receive urgent healthcare, including treatment for physical injuries and psychological trauma sustained during their captivity.
The nature of their abuse has not been publicly detailed, but reports suggest that many had been subjected to inhumane conditions and mistreatment.
The Libyan army reiterated its commitment to continuing operations against criminal networks that exploit migrants.
In recent years, Libya has faced mounting international criticism over the treatment of migrants, with numerous reports documenting human trafficking, arbitrary detention, and abuse—often carried out by both local militias and foreign smuggling networks.
Human rights organizations have welcomed the rescue operation but urged Libyan authorities to ensure that the victims are not returned to detention centers or deported without proper asylum evaluations.
This latest intervention by the 444th Special Forces highlights both the scale of the human trafficking crisis in Libya and the ongoing efforts by state security forces to dismantle the networks profiting from human suffering.