MOGADISHU, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Somalia has successfully repatriated 147 of its citizens who were either detained or stranded in Libya through a United Nations-backed program.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Monday the return was facilitated by the Voluntary Humanitarian Return program.

"Today, 147 Somali migrants, including women and children, have safely returned from Libya," the IOM said on its official X account, formerly Twitter.

Most of the migrants on Monday's charter flight are under the age of 30, including minors, who had been stranded in Libya for several months.

Each year, hundreds of Somali migrants embark on irregular journeys along the Northern Mediterranean Route, passing through multiple countries in hope of reaching Europe.

According to the IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix report published in July 2024, more than 1,500 Somali migrants remain stranded in Libya, many living in dangerous conditions.

Insecurity and the lack of essentials such as food, shelter and healthcare in Libya expose migrants to many protection risks, the IOM said. Enditem

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