Operation IRINI 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 and UN Security Council Resolution 2292. 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 and UN Security Council Resolution 2509 ;
contributes to the disruption of the business model of human smuggling and trafficking networks in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2240.
The Operation Commander is Rear Admiral Fabio Agostini and the headquarters are located in Rome, Italy. The Deputy Operation Commander is Rear Admiral Jean-Michel Martinet. The Force Commander is Real Admiral Ettore Socci. Italy and Greece will alternate the Force Commander every six months.
Duration
The initial mandate of Operation IRINI will last until 31 March 2021. The former Operation Sophia permanently ceased its activity at the same time of the launch of IRINI.
Assets
Naval assets Naval assets Air assets
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. In April 2020, the Government of National Accord in Libya objected to the operation because it would affect the arms supplies from Turkey. 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. Early in June 2020, Russia was the only Security Council member which raised concerns about renewing authorization for the operation which was about to expire on June 10. Later in June, European diplomats and officials said that Turkey is blocking EU attempts to secure NATO’s help for the operation.
Incidents
In May 2020, a war ship participated in the operation intercepted an oil tanker off the coast of Tobruk and didn't let it to dock in Tobruk. The Gabon-flagged vessel had not received authorization from the Tripoli-based Libyan National Oil Corporation. After this event Russia had raised concerns regarding the operation's authorizations. On June 10, 2020, a Greek frigate which was under the command of IRINI operation, tried to check a Tanzanian-flagged cargo vessel which was suspected of carrying arms to Libya, but it was ordered to retreat after warning from Turkish frigates which accompanied the cargo vessel. According to sources, the Turkish commander message was that 'the Turkish ship is under the protection of the Turkish republic'. Later, on June 17, 2020, France accused Turkey that Turkish ships harassed a French warship of the Operation Sea Guardian which tried to check a Turkish vessel, which was suspected of smuggling arms to Libya, and that the Turkish navy is using their NATO call signals while accompanying Turkish vessels suspected of breaking the UN arms embargo in Libya. According to French officials, when the French ship tried to check the vessel, the Turkish vessel switched off its tracking system, masked its ID number and refused to say where it was going while the Turkish frigates flashed their radar lights three times against the French warship, suggesting a missile strike was imminent. On the other hand, Turkish officials, denied that the warship was harassed and claimed that the French warship did not establish communications with the Turkish vessel during the incident. On June 18, NATO said that it will investigate the incident.
