EUNAVFOR MED

EUNAVFOR MED
Name	EUNAVFOR MED
Partof	the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy
Date	22 June 2015 – present
Place	Central Mediterranean Sea
Status	Active

EUNAVFOR MED. It is a European Union naval force operating under the Common Security and Defence Policy. The operation was launched in response to the European migrant crisis and the frequent search and rescue emergencies in the Mediterranean Sea. Its primary focus has been to disrupt human smuggling and trafficking networks operating from North Africa.

Background and establishment

The operation was conceived amid a sharp increase in migrant crossings and fatalities in the Central Mediterranean following the aftermath of the Second Libyan Civil War. Key impetus came from the Lampedusa shipwreck and the tragic April 2015 Mediterranean Sea migrant shipwreck. The European Council approved the mission on 18 May 2015, with formal launch occurring at the Political and Security Committee on 22 June. Early planning involved close coordination with the Italian Navy and the Maltese Armed Forces, given their frontline roles. The establishment was also influenced by prior European Union missions like EUNAVFOR Atalanta off the Horn of Africa.

Mission and objectives

The initial mandate, under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2240, aimed to identify, capture, and dispose of vessels used by migrant smugglers. A core objective was to dismantle the business model of transnational criminal networks operating from Libya. The mission later evolved to include training the Libyan Coast Guard and enforcing the United Nations arms embargo on Libya. Secondary goals always involved contributing to search and rescue efforts to prevent loss of life at sea, operating in conjunction with agencies like Frontex and the Italian Coast Guard.

Operations and deployments

The operation has progressed through several distinct phases. **Operation SOPHIA**, its first active phase, commenced in September 2015 and involved assets from numerous member states like the Italian aircraft carrier Cavour and the German frigate Schleswig-Holstein. It conducted patrols, vessel interdictions, and its first rescue on 4 September 2015. A later phase, **Operation IRINI**, launched on 31 March 2020, refocused efforts on enforcing the United Nations arms embargo through aerial surveillance and vessel inspections. Key deployments have been based out of Augusta, Sicily and the SIGINT vessel ITS Carabinieri has played a crucial role.

Command and structure

The operational headquarters is located at the Italian Joint Operations Headquarters in Rome. The force commander has typically been an Italian Navy rear admiral, while the operational commander is based at the European Union Military Staff in Brussels. The structure is multinational, with contributions rotating among member states such as France, Germany, Spain, and Greece. Naval assets are supplemented by air units, including maritime patrol aircraft from the Hellenic Air Force and Luftwaffe. Command and control is integrated with the European External Action Service and the Situational Awareness Centre in Valletta.

Legal framework and mandate

The operation is founded on Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/778 and subsequent amendments. Its legal basis is tied to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and specific United Nations Security Council resolutions, notably UNSCR 2240 (2015) and UNSCR 2292 (2016). The mandate is reviewed annually by the European Council. A critical legal aspect is the provision for transferring apprehended smugglers to the jurisdiction of the Italian judicial system. The transition to Operation IRINI was authorized under Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/472, emphasizing compliance with the United Nations arms embargo on Libya.

Impact and controversies

The operation has been credited with apprehending suspected smugglers and contributing to over 45,000 rescues during Operation SOPHIA. However, it faced significant criticism for potentially encouraging more dangerous migrant routes and for disputes over ports of disembarkation among member states. The training of the Libyan Coast Guard proved controversial due to allegations of the unit's involvement in human rights abuses. Non-governmental organizations like Médecins Sans Frontières and Amnesty International have criticized aspects of the mission. Its effectiveness in fundamentally disrupting smuggling networks remains a subject of debate within institutions like the European Parliament.

Category:European Union military operations Category:Military operations in the Mediterranean Category:2015 establishments in the European Union