In response to a rise in people smuggling operations from northern France to the UK led by criminal gangs from Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced new measures on Monday, including the deployment of British officers to Iraq.

These measures are part of a broader crackdown to combat illegal crossings, with British officers expected to work alongside international partners to dismantle smuggling networks at their source. Speaking at the opening of the Interpol General Assembly in Glasgow, Starmer denounced the “vile” people smugglers who exploit vulnerable migrants for profit, unveiling a new Border Security Command (BSC) dedicated to preventing small boat crossings in the English Channel.

The Prime Minister’s office also confirmed an additional $97.4 million investment in counter-smuggling operations, bringing total funding for these efforts to £150 million. A portion of this funding will support the deployment of officers in Iraq, where many migrants attempting to cross the Channel originate.

Smuggling operations from Iraqi Kurdistan have become increasingly prominent, with figures like Barzan Majeed, known as “Scorpion,” recently arrested in Iraq. Majeed had been sentenced to 10 years in Belgium for his role in trafficking but remained at large until his recent capture.

In a bid to deter potential migrants, the UK government is launching a social media campaign targeting Kurdish and Iraqi audiences. These campaigns aim to debunk false narratives about life in Britain, warning that undocumented migrants face restricted access to work, benefits, and public services.

The UK Border Force has reported 31,094 people attempting to cross the Channel in small boats so far this year, marking a 16% rise compared to 2023, although numbers remain 22% lower than the same period in 2022.

Interpol and UK officers will collaborate globally to dismantle these smuggling networks, as part of the UK’s heightened focus on border security and international law enforcement efforts.