By Tarek AmaraTUNIS (Reuters) - Tunisian police supported by planes and anti-terrorism units arrested hundreds of migrants and seized boats on Saturday in a major crackdown on people smuggling in the coastal region of Sfax - a key departure point for migrants heading to Europe. Tunisian National Guard units raided homes where hundreds of migrants were staying, intercepted trucks carrying migrants towards the beaches and seized vessels used by the smugglers, officials and witnesses said. "The air operation is intended to target smugglers who trade in the pain of frustrated people," National Guard Colonel Houssem Jbebli told reporters. Saied ordered the crackdown to confront the "unacceptable influx of migrants", the Interior Ministry said in a statement. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called on Friday for the European Union to act jointly "with a naval mission if necessary" to prevent migrants crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa.

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Persons: Tarek Amara TUNIS, Kais Saied, Houssem Jbebli, Saied, Giorgia Meloni, Tarek Amara, Helen Popper Organizations: Tunisian National Guard, National Guard, Interior Ministry, European Union Locations: Sfax, Europe, North Africa, Jebiniana, Tunisia, Italy, Lampedusa