The Syrian Coast Guard announced on Saturday that it had intercepted a boat carrying more than 30 civilians attempting to leave the country illegally via Syrian territorial waters.

In an official statement, the Coast Guard reported that the vessel was stopped while preparing to sail toward an unspecified neighboring country. The individuals on board were reportedly Syrian nationals, including young men and families, seeking to migrate irregularly.

The statement added that the boat was part of an organized human smuggling operation, although no details were provided regarding the entities behind it. All detainees were transferred to the relevant authorities for further investigation and legal procedures.

This incident comes amid a noticeable rise in illegal migration attempts from Syria’s coastal regions toward Europe or neighboring states, driven by worsening economic conditions and a surge in smuggling activity along the coastline.