110 migrants return from Libya to Kurdistan Region

ERBIL — A group of 110 Iraqi migrants who had been detained in Libya returned to the Kurdistan Region and arrived at Erbil International Airport earlier today, relatives and officials said.

Diyari Kamal, a relative of one of the returnees, told 964media, “This morning, after a long period of waiting and anxiety, 110 Iraqi migrants detained in Libya were returned to the Kurdistan Region.”

He said all of the returnees were young men from the Sulaymaniyah’s Raparin autonomous administration. According to Kamal, the migrants had been held in Libya for about 190 days before their return.

“The migrants were detained in Libya for 190 days and were returned through coordination between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi Consulate in Libya,” Kamal said.

He added that after completing security and administrative checks at Erbil International Airport, all of the returnees were transferred by large buses to the Raparin administration.

The return follows broader Iraqi efforts to repatriate citizens stranded in Libya after entering the country irregularly. Iraqi officials have said hundreds of migrants have been held in Libyan detention centers after falling victim to smuggling and human trafficking networks.

In recent days, Iraq began organized repatriation flights using military aircraft, with officials announcing that nearly 200 migrants were awaiting voluntary return. Authorities say the operations are coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with Iraqi diplomatic missions, with the stated aim of ensuring the migrants’ security and safety during their return.