ALASAA, Libya: Exhausted, pregnant and weeping, Sudanese nurse Tafaul Omar sat under the scorching desert sun along with 14 other migrants who said they had been arrested by Tunisian authorities and dumped in the border area with Libya - a practice Tunisia denies.
The group of men and women from Sudan, Senegal, Ghana and Mali had walked for four hours before a Libyan border patrol that Reuters accompanied found them at the weekend and gave them water and food, Omar and the others said.
"It was just a horrible feeling to walk in the middle of nowhere," she said with sand caking her clothes, adding that she feared for her unborn baby after her ordeal in the desert.
Migrants, Libyan border guards and rights groups accuse Tunisia of expelling migrants across the frontier into a featureless wilderness far from towns or villages in the height of summer as part of a months-long crackdown.
Libya has reported finding bodies of migrants who died in the desert.
Tunisia's Interior Ministry denies dumping migrants in the desert and President Kais Saied has described the reports as misinformation aimed at discrediting the country.
"Tunisia rejects all accusations of expelling African immigrants," said Interior Ministry spokesperson Faker Bouzgaya, when asked by Reuters about the migrants' accounts.
Asked how those stranded in the desert had arrived there, he said "People who meet the conditions for legal entry into Tunisia will be allowed in," adding "Tunisia is not responsible for what happens outside its borders" without elaborating.
Bouzgaya pointed to work by Tunisia's Red Crescent to assist migrants at the border.
REMOTE AND DESOLATE
Omar, 26, said she and her husband Yaseen Adam had been living in Zarziz, a southern Tunisian town near the border with Libya, saving up to pay smugglers to take them to Italy. She said police arrested them last week and drove them to the border.
The couple fled their Khartoum home because of the warfare that suddenly broke out there in April with shellfire in their neighbourhood killing Omar's father, and travelled through Chad and Algeria before arriving in Tunisia, they said.
After the police arrested them along with other migrants, they beat the men, took the phones of everybody in their group and abandoned them in the desert, Omar, Adam and the others found by the Libyan patrol and the Reuters reporters said.
Reuters could not independently verify their accounts of what took place before they were found in the desert.
The U.N. migration agency IOM said about 300 individuals had been provided with food and medical assistance by it and other U.N. agencies at a Libyan government facility in Alasaa in Libya, near where Omar's group were found.
"The situation at the border is very complicated: it seems there are around 350 migrants still stranded in Ras Ijder", a coastal area about 35km (20 miles) from Alasaa, said Giacomo Terenzi of the IOM in Libya.
Last month the IOM and the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said they were deeply concerned for the safety of hundreds of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Tunisia who had been removed to "remote and desolate" border areas or pushed across the frontier.
CRACKDOWN
Expulsions over the desert border were first reported in early July after confrontations between local people and migrants in the port city of Sfax, a main departure point for illicit voyages to Italy on small, flimsy boats.
Thousands of migrants who had been living in Tunisia have tried to leave for Europe this year after President Saied announced a crackdown on them in February, saying their presence was part of a plot to change Tunisia's demographic makeup.
That campaign, denounced by the African Union for what it called "racialised language", prompted a wave of reported attacks on migrants from sub-Saharan African countries.
Migration across North Africa and the Mediterranean to Europe has surged this year and shows little sign of slowing, with more departures - and deadly shipwrecks - reported on routes through and from Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco.
Despite the criticism directed at Tunisia's approach, the European Union last month said it would give the country more than 100 million euros to help combat people smuggling and improve border management.
Rights groups have also criticised the EU for its support of migration measures in Libya, where armed factions control migrant detention centres in which Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have documented torture. Libya's government has denied there is torture at the centres.
Omar and her group said they had been given water and food by Libyan border guards, which come under Brigade 19 of the Tripoli government's Defence Ministry.
When the patrol found them, they were lying on the ground resting, their lips chapped and ashen, their heads covered with scarves against the sun and a strong sand-filled wind.
The border guards said they would be transferred to the government facility in Alassa. Terenzi said migrants it was working with there would not be sent to detention centres.
Kufi Mousa, 23, and his wife Blessing David, 20, were also in Omar's group. They reached Tunisia three months ago via Algeria, they said. Like Omar, David said she was pregnant. They had hoped to travel on to Europe but could not make enough money to do so.
"I'm frustrated. I've lost hope. I just want to return to Ghana. They expelled me and my wife and let us walk in the desert facing terrible conditions," Mousa said.
Reuters
Sat Sep 02 2023
![Sudanese woman tells of 'horrible' desert journey after expulsion from Tunisia Sudanese woman tells of 'horrible' desert journey after expulsion from Tunisia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/61693566008_TafaulOmar.jpg)
Tafaul Omar, a pregnant 26-year-old nurse from Sudan, talks to a group of men as she is stranded in the desert on the Libyan-Tunisian border, near Al-Assah, Libya. - REUTERS
![Tuanku Muhriz sempurnakan Istiadat Perbarisan Pertukaran Panji-Panji 71 Rejimen Semboyan DiRaja Tuanku Muhriz sempurnakan Istiadat Perbarisan Pertukaran Panji-Panji 71 Rejimen Semboyan DiRaja](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720357336_TuankuMuhrizATM.jpg)
Tuanku Muhriz sempurnakan Istiadat Perbarisan Pertukaran Panji-Panji 71 Rejimen Semboyan DiRaja
Yang Dipertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir berkenan menyempurnakan Istiadat Perbarisan Pertukaran Panji-Panji 71 RSDPMB.
![Pasangan suami isteri dan anak lelaki nyaris lemas kereta terbabas dalam sungai Pasangan suami isteri dan anak lelaki nyaris lemas kereta terbabas dalam sungai](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720357777_lemassungai.jpg)
Pasangan suami isteri dan anak lelaki nyaris lemas kereta terbabas dalam sungai
Pasangan suami isteri serta anak lelaki mereka berusia tiga tahun nyaris lemas selepas kereta jenis Proton Pesona dinaiki mereka terbabas ke dalam sungai di Jalan Kangar-Alor Setar.
![KPT ucap tahniah kejayaan kontinjen negara di AUG 2024 KPT ucap tahniah kejayaan kontinjen negara di AUG 2024](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720355095_KejohananUniversit.jpg)
KPT ucap tahniah kejayaan kontinjen negara di AUG 2024
KPT merakamkan ucapan tahniah kepada kontinjen negara yang berjaya melepasi sasaran 35 pingat emas dan menduduki tempat ketiga negara terbaik pada kejohanan Sukan Universiti ASEAN (AUG) 2024.
![Demam denggi landa negeri selatan India Karnataka, Delhi pula catat 240 kes Demam denggi landa negeri selatan India Karnataka, Delhi pula catat 240 kes](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/61710238310_denggi.jpg)
Demam denggi landa negeri selatan India Karnataka, Delhi pula catat 240 kes
Demam denggi melanda beberapa bahagian di negeri selatan India, Karnataka, dengan hampir tujuh orang disyaki meninggal dunia akibat penyakit itu dan lebih 7,000 kes direkodkan.
![Skuasy: Aifa-Aira juara beregu wanita Asia 2024 Skuasy: Aifa-Aira juara beregu wanita Asia 2024](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71720360503_TBSkuasy.jpg)
Skuasy: Aifa-Aira juara beregu wanita Asia 2024
Gandingan adik beradik, Aifa Azman-Aira Azman menepati ramalan apabila bergelar juara beregu wanita Kejohanan Skuasy Beregu Asia 2024.
![Program MADANI Rakyat Zon Timur catat jumlah pengunjung tertinggi Program MADANI Rakyat Zon Timur catat jumlah pengunjung tertinggi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720350205_TBMadani.jpg)
Program MADANI Rakyat Zon Timur catat jumlah pengunjung tertinggi
Program MADANI Rakyat (PMR) 2024 Zon Timur di Dataran Sayangi Kuantan melabuhkan tirai hari ini dengan mencatatkan jumlah pengunjung tertinggi dalam tiga siri penganjurannya iaitu jumlah pengunjung me
AWANI 7:45 [07/07/2024] - Peringatan Agong | Usah korban jati diri demi kuasa | Isu buli siber jadi tumpuan | Nasib berbeza dua 'gergasi' bola sepak
#AWANI745 malam ini bersama Syaff Shukri;
1. Agong ingatkan, jangan jadikan media sosial tempat buka aib
2. Jangan korban jati diri untuk kuasa dan populariti, pesan Sultan Kedah
3. Belum ada jaminan BN dan PH kerjasama hadapi PRU16
4. England gembira, Brazil berduka, nasib berbeza dua gergasi bola sepak
1. Agong ingatkan, jangan jadikan media sosial tempat buka aib
2. Jangan korban jati diri untuk kuasa dan populariti, pesan Sultan Kedah
3. Belum ada jaminan BN dan PH kerjasama hadapi PRU16
4. England gembira, Brazil berduka, nasib berbeza dua gergasi bola sepak
![1,400 veteran ATM disasar sertai Program Desa MADANI tahun ini 1,400 veteran ATM disasar sertai Program Desa MADANI tahun ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720353771_AdlyZahari.jpg)
1,400 veteran ATM disasar sertai Program Desa MADANI tahun ini
Kementerian Pertahanan menyasarkan 1,400 veteran Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM) menyertai Program Veteran Desa Madani (VDM) seluruh negara tahun ini.
![Kekalahan di Sungai Bakap bukan penamat hadapi PRK seterusnya - Ahmad Zahid Kekalahan di Sungai Bakap bukan penamat hadapi PRK seterusnya - Ahmad Zahid](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720350017_TBZahidHamidi.jpg)
Kekalahan di Sungai Bakap bukan penamat hadapi PRK seterusnya - Ahmad Zahid
Kekalahan calon Pakatan Harapan (PH) pada Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Sungai Bakap di Pulau Pinang semalam bukanlah penamat kepada gabungan parti dalam Kerajaan Perpaduan khus
Pentas jual anugerahkan pakej media bernilai RM55,600
Jelajah JIWA SME 2024 melabuhkan tirai untuk siri pertama di Johor Bahru. Pemyampai Astro AWANI, Irfan Faruqi membawakan perinciannya.
![Persahabatan antarabangsa: Indonesia dibelasah Libya Persahabatan antarabangsa: Indonesia dibelasah Libya](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/61704254881_TBPialaAsia.jpg)
Persahabatan antarabangsa: Indonesia dibelasah Libya
Persiapan Indonesia menjelang saingan Piala Asia bulan ini kelihatan menerima tamparan apabila skuad Garuda itu dibelasah 0-4 oleh Libya.
![Banjir: Sekolah di Derna dibuka semula Banjir: Sekolah di Derna dibuka semula](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-10/61696211080_Dernacity.jpg)
Banjir: Sekolah di Derna dibuka semula
Pelajar yang sekolah mengalami kerosakan atau musnah akan menumpang sementara di sekolah lain.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-04/41680607592_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Masalah politik di Libya sukarkan bantuan kemanusiaan dihantar - Mercy Malaysia Masalah politik di Libya sukarkan bantuan kemanusiaan dihantar - Mercy Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-08/41630397259_AhmadFaizalMohdPe.jpg)
Masalah politik di Libya sukarkan bantuan kemanusiaan dihantar - Mercy Malaysia
Presiden Mercy Malaysia, Datuk Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus menjelaskan kemelut politik di Libya itu membuatkan keadaan bertambah teruk.
![Libya bagai dilanda garuda Libya bagai dilanda garuda](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/51694829797_flashflood.jpg)
Libya bagai dilanda garuda
Ribut Daniel yang melanda akhir minggu lalu telah menenggelamkan bandar Derna dan mengakibatkan kemusnahan besar di Libya.
![Angka kematian akibat banjir dijangka cecah 20,000 di Derna, Libya Angka kematian akibat banjir dijangka cecah 20,000 di Derna, Libya](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/81694683466_TBLibyaFlooding.jpg)
Angka kematian akibat banjir dijangka cecah 20,000 di Derna, Libya
Angka kematian akibat banjir besar yang melanda timur Libya dijangka mencecah 20,000 di bandar Derna sahaja, lapor agensi berita Jerman (dpa).
![Banjir: Doktor Tanpa Sempadan hantar pasukan kecemasan ke Libya Banjir: Doktor Tanpa Sempadan hantar pasukan kecemasan ke Libya](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/41694515323_floods.jpg)
Banjir: Doktor Tanpa Sempadan hantar pasukan kecemasan ke Libya
Doktor Tanpa Sempadan (MSF) pada Rabu berkata pertubuhan bantuan itu menghantar pasukan kecemasan ke Libya susulan ribut dahsyat yang mengorbankan ribuan nyawa di timur negara itu.
![10,000 orang hilang akibat banjir di Libya - Palang Merah 10,000 orang hilang akibat banjir di Libya - Palang Merah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/61694533533_TBLibyaflood.jpg)
10,000 orang hilang akibat banjir di Libya - Palang Merah
Kira-kira 10,000 orang hilang selepas banjir besar di Libya, kata ketua pejabat Libya bagi Persekutuan Palang Merah dan Bulan Sabit Merah Antarabangsa.
![Lebih 15 juta meter persegi kawasan di Libya tercemar sisa bahan letupan Lebih 15 juta meter persegi kawasan di Libya tercemar sisa bahan letupan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-04/61680683135_periukapi.jpg)
Lebih 15 juta meter persegi kawasan di Libya tercemar sisa bahan letupan
Kenyataan UNSMIL itu sempena sambutan hari antarabangsa untuk memupuk kesedaran mengenai periuk api yang disambut pada 4 April.
![12 maut, 87 cedera pertempuran di Tripoli, Libya 12 maut, 87 cedera pertempuran di Tripoli, Libya](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-08/41661658560_Tripoli.jpg)
12 maut, 87 cedera pertempuran di Tripoli, Libya
Pasukan perubatan tidak dapat mengakses kawasan tertentu di Tripoli bagi membantu orang awam yang membuat panggilan kecemasan.