German frigate to enforce Libya arms embargo

A German navy frigate and 250 sailors left port to join the EU mission to enforce the weapons embargo on Libya.

The Hamburg left Wilhelmshaven on the North Sea yesterday. It is expected in the Mediterranean by the middle of the month where it will join the operation for five months and take a leading role in steering the EU mission. In that time, the ship is expected to stay almost entirely at sea, so its personnel are not exposed to the coronavirus.

The 143-metre vessel is the first German navy ship to join Operation Irini, which began in early May.

The mission, a major part of Brussels’ plan to decrease violence in Libya, has been plagued by infighting and a lack of resources.

Before the Hamburg arrives, the mission’s only listed operational assets were the Greek frigate Spetsai, a German P-3C Orion maritime-patrol aircraft, and one small aircraft for reconnaissance, provided by Luxembourg and Poland.

Irini has rarely had more than one vessel operating at any time, with the French destroyer

Jean Bart and the Greek frigate Hydra being sent together for two weeks from mid-May.

Before joining the operation, the German navy highlighted the politically sensitive nature of the mission.

Commandant Jan Fitschen said the Hamburg will be operating in “difficult political and operational terrain”.

“We are facing an operation that will pose unknown challenges to the ship and crew in several ways,” he said.

The Tripoli-based Government of National Accord and its Turkish backers regularly rail against Irini, saying the EU mission favours the rival Libyan National Army, blocking the flow of weapons to the country.