In today’s free movement world, weaponised migration presents itself as an increasing hybrid threat. State and non-state actors manipulate and direct migration flows to gain political and strategic goals. It is used as a tool aimed at coercion and destabilisation, which targets borders and social cohesion in countries. The most notable case is the Belarus-EU border crisis in 2021 (see above image). States have also begun countering weaponised migration through the erection of increasingly sophisticated border security structures. This threat also extends to other regions, such as Russia’s facilitation of refugee movements into Finland in 2023, North African militia groups weaponising migration flows, and corrupt governments in Central America allowing the arrival of migrants to reach the U.S. border. The latter constitutes a broader example of destabilisation and simultaneous financial gain through weaponised migration. 

The orchestrated mobilisation of migrants can be achieved by disinformation campaigns through social media and subtle human trafficking. Hence, intelligence services must play a role in anticipating and countering these tactics. To achieve this, they globally adapt to detect, counter, and mitigate weaponised migration as part of hybrid warfare. 

Images Sourced From: Saeima