The European Union’s naval operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI investigated 774 merchant vessels heading towards Libya in December 2025, according to its latest monthly activity report published by the European External Action Service (EEAS).
The report said the inspections were carried out through radio requests for information, known as “hailings”, as part of the EU’s integrated approach to supporting peace and stability in Libya and protecting European interests in the Mediterranean.
During the same period, Operation IRINI conducted six friendly approaches on vessels with the consent of their captains. The mission also monitored 88 suspect flights and maintained surveillance over 25 airports and landing strips, as well as 16 ports and oil terminals linked to Libya.
The operation, launched in March 2020 following the Berlin Conference on Libya, focuses primarily on enforcing the United Nations arms embargo. Its mandate also includes countering oil smuggling, disrupting human smuggling networks, improving maritime situational awareness, and supporting capacity building for Libyan institutions responsible for law enforcement and search and rescue at sea.
In March 2025, the EU extended IRINI’s mandate until March 2027 and expanded its responsibilities to include maritime situational awareness. In addition, a UN Security Council resolution renewed the inspection regime for vessels suspected of violating the arms embargo on Libya.
Since its launch, Operation IRINI has investigated more than 21,500 merchant vessels and boarded 33 suspect ships, seizing embargo-violating cargo on three occasions. The mission has also submitted dozens of special reports to the EEAS and the UN Panel of Experts on Libya regarding possible embargo violations and oil smuggling activities.
