Kurdistan migrants detained in Libya have sent urgent pleas for help as families raise alarm over worsening humanitarian conditions. Dozens of young migrants from the Kurdistan Region remain held in Libya after failed attempts to reach Europe by sea.
Families in the Kurdistan Region say the migrants come mostly from Sulaimani’s Raparin area. They explain that armed groups detained the young men near Libya’s coast. Moreover, the detention has now lasted almost a week, with no clear information provided.
One father, Mohammed Ahmed, described the arrest of his 18-year-old son. He said his son attempted to leave Tripoli by boat toward Europe. However, armed groups intercepted the journey before departure. As a result, the young men ended up inside detention facilities.
Ahmed explained that his son left Raparin three months ago. He hoped to reach Europe and find stable work. However, bad weather kept him stranded in Libya for weeks. Eventually, detention followed.
Communication remains extremely limited. Ahmed said the family spoke with his son only once. The call lasted less than one minute. During that call, the son described extremely harsh conditions.
He said the detainees lack food and basic care. Furthermore, they feel abandoned and desperate. According to the family, the detainees repeatedly beg for rescue and evacuation.
A separate voice message reached Rudaw through another family. In the message, a detained migrant said they were held near a consulate building. He added that hunger and exhaustion threaten their survival.
The man warned that many detainees feel close to death. He said some prisoners have remained there for nearly twenty days. Every night, he said, they pray and fear dying in custody.
Kurdistan migrants detained in Libya have urged Iraqi authorities to intervene immediately. They want repatriation before conditions deteriorate further. Families say silence and delays increase the risk of tragedy.
Earlier reports already raised serious concerns. In October, Iraqi diplomatic officials in Tripoli confirmed a Kurdish migrant died in detention. Authorities said a heart attack caused the death. However, families continue to question detention conditions.
Despite the risks, migration through Libya continues to rise. Youth from Raparin increasingly choose the Libya-Italy route. Meanwhile, tighter border controls have reduced access through Turkey and Greece.
The Libya-Italy route takes fewer hours. Still, it involves severe danger. Smugglers and militias control much of Libya’s coastline. Migrants often pay enormous sums to proceed.
According to refugee advocacy groups, the journey can cost up to seventeen thousand dollars. Families often sell property or borrow heavily. As a result, failed journeys leave both financial and emotional devastation.
Over the past decade, the Kurdistan Region has seen repeated migration waves. Economic hardship and unemployment drive many departures. Young people increasingly feel trapped by limited opportunities at home.
Kurdistan migrants detained in Libya now symbolize a broader regional crisis. Families urge faster diplomatic action. They hope swift intervention can save lives before another loss occurs.
