A German frigate carrying 250 soldiers on Tuesday departed at the start of a five-month mission as part of the European Union’s (EU) efforts to enforce a long-flouted Libya arms embargo.
The Hamburg frigate set sail for the Mediterranean from the port city of Wilhelmshaven.
The EU’s Irini mission, launched in May, is tasked with preventing the flow of weapons into war-torn Libya under UN embargo, and gathering information on illegal oil exports from country and disrupting people smuggling in the region.
The Hamburg’s crew members are set to return on Dec. 20, and may not see any days on land until then, due to precautions regarding the coronavirus pandemic.
Cdr. Jan Fitschen said, “We are facing a mission that will present the ship and crew with previously unknown challenges in several respects.
“It is taking place on difficult political and operational terrain.”
