The UK Home Office has launched a new social media campaign warning Kurdish migrants against attempting to cross the Channel to reach the UK, highlighting the dangers of the journey and the ruthless nature of human smuggling gangs.
The digital advertisements, specifically targeting Iraqi Kurds, follow similar initiatives aimed at Albanian and Vietnamese migrants. These campaigns aim to counter false promises made by smugglers and highlight the risks involved in illegal crossings.
The UK has established agreements with Iraq, Albania, and Vietnam to enhance intelligence-sharing on smuggling networks, disrupt migrant routes, and fast-track the return of individuals who enter the UK illegally.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper signed an agreement with Iraq and the Kurdish regional government before Christmas, allowing National Crime Agency (NCA) officers to be deployed to Iraq. Their mission is to conduct joint operations with local authorities to apprehend and prosecute key figures in smuggling networks based in Baghdad, Erbil, and other locations.
Iraqi-Kurdish gangs currently dominate the beaches and camps in northern France, making them a priority target for UK authorities. The NCA seeks to intensify efforts to dismantle these networks in their countries of origin.
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