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Operation Irini

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The European Union Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) has been launched on March 31, 2020 with the aim to enforce the United Nations arms embargo to Libya. Operation IRINI is an European Union military operation under the umbrella of the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP). The operation is expected to use aerial, maritime and satellite assets.[1] This arms embargo is constantly violated and has recently be defined a joke by the UN deputy special envoy for Libya Stephanie Williams.[2]

Tasks

Operation IRINI (Greek for "peace") has basically the same duties of the former Operation Sophia, but with different priorities.

The primary task of the Operation is the implementation of the arms embargo imposed by the United Nations Security Council – through UN Security Council Resolution 1970 (2011)[3] and UN Security Council Resolution 2292 (2016).[4] By contributing to stemming the flow of weapons into Libya, the Operation will help create the conditions for a permanent ceasefire in Libya.

As secondary tasks, the Operation:

• Contributes to the implementation of UN measures to prevent the illicit export of petroleum from Libya through monitoring and surveillance activities, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2146 (2014) and UN Security Council Resolution 2509 (2020);[5]

• provides capacity building and training of the Libyan Coast Guard and Navy in law enforcement tasks at sea;

• contributes to the disruption of the business model of human smuggling and trafficking networks in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2240 (2015).[6][7]

Chain of Command and Headquarters

The Operation Commander is Rear Admiral Fabio Agostini (Italian Navy) and the headquarters are located in Rome, Italy. The Deputy Operation Commander is Rear Admiral Jean-Michel Martinet (French Navy).
The Force Commander is Real Admiral Ettore Socci (Italian Navy).[8] Italy and Greece will alternate the Force Commander every six months (together with the rotation of the flagship).[9]

Duration

The initial mandate of Operation IRINI will last until 31 March 2021.[1] The former Operation Sophia permanently ceased its activity at the same time of the launch of IRINI.[1]

Assets

Naval assets (active)
 Greece: Hydra class frigate Spetsai from June 2020[10]

Naval assets (past)
 France: Cassard class frigate Jean Bart from May 4, 2020[9][11]
 Greece: Hydra class frigate Hydra from May 2020[12]


Air assets
 Luxembourg: Swearingen Merlin from May 4, 2020[9][13]
 Poland: An-28B1R Bryza from May, 2020[14]
 Germany: P-3C Orion from May, 2020[15][16][17]

Criticism

It has been remarked about the operation that "the vast majority of weapon deliveries to Libya do not come via sea". However, the same source also points out that the use of the satellite assets could be critical to track and provide evidence of the violations to the embargo.[18]

In May 2020, Malta pulled out of Operation IRINI and threatened to put a veto to EU funds for the Operation, with a move that is seen by some as it could also impacts the Turkish-Libyan agreement. [19] [20]

Presence on web and social

See Also

References

  1. ^ a b c "EU launches Operation IRINI to enforce Libya arms embargo". Council of the European Union. Retrieved 13 April 2020. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  2. ^ "Libya arms embargo is a joke says un envoy as ceasefire talks stall". theguardian.com. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  3. ^ "S/RES/1970 (2011) | United Nations Security Council". United Nations Security Council. Retrieved 8 June 2020. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  4. ^ "S/RES/2292 (2016) | United Nations Security Council". United Nations Security Council. Retrieved 13 April 2020. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  5. ^ "S/RES/2509 (2020) | United Nations Security Council". United Nations Security Council. Retrieved 8 June 2020. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  6. ^ "S/RES/2240 (2015) | United Nations Security Council". United Nations Security Council. Retrieved 8 June 2020. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  7. ^ "Operation Irini Factsheet" (PDF). www.operationirini.eu. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  8. ^ "Operation Irini Chain of Command". www.operationirini.eu. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  9. ^ a b c "Operation Irini sets sail". www.operationirini.eu. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  10. ^ "HS Spetsai" (PDF). www.operationirini.eu. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  11. ^ "Jean Bart" (PDF). www.operationirini.eu. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  12. ^ "Hellenic Navy frigate HS HYDRA leaves Operation IRINI due to technical problems". navalnews.net. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  13. ^ "LUX SW3 MERLIN III" (PDF). www.operationirini.eu. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  14. ^ "An-28B1R BRYZA" (PDF). www.operationirini.eu. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  15. ^ "Deutschland bietet Seefernaufklärer P-3C Orion für Mittelmeer-Mission an". welt.de. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  16. ^ "2020.04.01 Germany offers P-3C Orion maritime reconnaissance aircraft for a Mediterranean mission" (PDF). www.operationirini.eu. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  17. ^ "GER PC3 ORION" (PDF). www.operationirini.eu. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  18. ^ "The EU's 'Irini' Libya mission: Europe's Operation Cassandra". ecfr.eu. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  19. ^ "Malta pulls out of new EU Libya sea patrols in migration row". www.reuters.com. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  20. ^ "Malta's Withdrawal from EU Operation IRINI Signals Support for Turkish-Libyan Corridor". libyareview.com. Retrieved 8 June 2020.