Tunisia

Tunisia’s coastguard announced Tuesday that it has apprehended over 2,500 migrants and arrested dozens of people smugglers. This follows a large-scale security operation at the weekend in the coastal region of Sfax. The region is one of the important embarkation points for migrants bound for Italy. Hundreds of security personnel took part in the operation, along with counter-terrorism units, aircraft and police dogs. Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed who ordered the operation due to an “unacceptable influx of migrants”. A statement by the Tunisian National Guard said at least 63 people smugglers had been arrested and dozens of boats seized. Among the apprehended migrants were about 1,900 sub-Saharan African migrants attempting to enter Tunisia by land. Most of the migrants arrived via Algeria. /ritzau/Reuters/