As part of their efforts to monitor borders and maritime areas and combat cross-border threats, Royal Armed Forces units, in conjunction with law enforcement authorities, intercepted some 87,000 would-be irregular migrants in 2023, the majority of whom are of sub-Saharan origin, according to a statement by the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces.
Intensified surveillance and control of waters under national jurisdiction has led, over the past year, to providing rescue and necessary assistance to over 22,000 would-be irregular migrants often found aboard makeshift nautical means in distress, the same source added.
