Libya - a Central Transit Route Linking Migration from the Middle East and Africa to Europe: Historical Framework and Contemporary Dynamics

Author : Judy Ronen

Abstract : Middle Eastern and African states stand out among the world's biggest theaters of cycles of intra- and inter-state wars, generating terrible human tragedies, endangering the people's daily existence of life. The multiplicity of devastating war zones, intertwined by the exacerbating impact of global climate crisis, deteriorating geopolitical order and sever lack of state and personal security, have propelled increasing number of Middle Eastern and African migrants towards the shores of the European "Promised Land," hoping to rescue themselves and find better life. The various aspects of the tiding waves to Europe of illegal migrants - or irregular migrants in a more political correct term - is the core of my presentation. A major migration corridor toward Europe has been the Libyan failed state and its chaotic and conflict-torn society. Already embroiled in more than 15-year old-civil war, Libya's giant territory is a loosely controlled, relatively sparsely populated, while being dominated by powerful self-interested militias. Among the most organized and deeply motivated are the greedy smuggling human networks, effectively promoting the flows through the Libyan corridor. The paper will examine the full range of issues pertaining to the above-mentioned irregular migratory phenomenon, discussing it mainly through the context of historical framework and contemporary dynamics.

Keywords : Irregular Migration; Middle East and Africa; The Libyan Effective Transit Route to Europe.

Conference Name : International Conference on Migration, Diaspora, and Refugee Studies in the Middle East (ICMDRME-26)

Conference Place : Zurich, Switzerland

Conference Date : 30th Jun 2026