Operation Atalanta

Council extends the mandate of Operation IRINI until 2023

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, March 27, 2021
Second Libyan Civil War, Peace, Common Security and Defence Policy, Operation Atalanta, Arms embargo, Political and Security Committee, Operation Irini, Operation Sophia

The Council today extended the mandate of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) military operation in the Mediterranean - EUNAVFOR MED IRINI - until 31 March 2023.

Key Points: 
  • The Council today extended the mandate of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) military operation in the Mediterranean - EUNAVFOR MED IRINI - until 31 March 2023.
  • The decision was taken in the wake of the Strategic Review of the operation carried out by the Political and Security Committee.
  • In this context, the Council has defined more precisely the practical arrangements for the disposal of items seized by the operation when implementing the UN arms embargo on Libya.
  • IRINI is led by Rear Admiral Fabio Agostini as EU Operation Commander, and its headquarters are located in Rome, Italy.

Operation ATALANTA, EUTM Somalia and EUCAP Somalia: mandates extended for two more years

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 24, 2020
Geography of Africa, European Union Training Mission in Somalia, Countries, Africa, Somalia, EUTM, Somali Armed Forces, Operation Atalanta, European Union Capacity Building Mission in Mali, Somalia–Spain relations

The Council prolonged the mandates of its two Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions in Somalia and Operation ATALANTA.

Key Points: 
  • The Council prolonged the mandates of its two Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions in Somalia and Operation ATALANTA.
  • The mandate of EUCAP Somalia, the EU's civilian capacity-building mission, EUTM Somalia, the EU's military training mission, and Operation ATALANTA, the EUs executive military maritime operation, will now run until 31 December 2022.
  • With this mandate, Operation ATALANTA will contribute to the implementation of the UN arms embargo on Somalia and will support the ongoing fight against Al Shabaab and its funding streams.
  • With the renewed mandates, EUCAP Somalia and EUTM Somalia will support the development of Somali capacities and capabilities through strategic advice, mentoring and training, accompanied by the EU-funded equipment support.
  • EUTM Somalia will also aim to establish a "Knowledge management" mechanism to be able to better monitor the performance of EUTM- trained units.

Background

    Operation ATALANTA

      • Since its establishment in late 2008 in response to the rising levels of piracy in the Western Indian Ocean, Operation ATALANTA has contributed significantly to the suppression of piracy, as well as the protection of the vessels of the World Food Programme (WFP), African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and other vulnerable shipping.
      • The Operation deters, prevents and represses acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea thus reducing the threat to the international maritime community.
      • The EU Operation Headquarters is located at Rota, Spain and the Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) is located at Brest, France.

    EUCAP Somalia

      • Launched in July 2012 as EUCAP Nestor, EUCAP Somalia contributes to the establishment and capacity building of maritime civilian law enforcement capability in Somalia, including Somaliland.
      • EUCAP Somalia enhances the countrys maritime civilian law enforcement capacity by supporting federaland regional authorities in developing legislation, strengthening the criminal justice chain in the maritime domainand providing advice on policy to the Somali ministry of internal security and the Somali Police Force.
      • TheMission supports the development of coast guard and maritime police functions in and around the main Somaliports, and implements additional assistance to broader police development.

    EUTM Somalia


      EUTM Somalia implements its mandate utilizing a three pillar approach that focuses on training, mentoring and the provision of strategic advice to the Somali National Army (SNA). With this latest renewal, EUTM Somalia enters its 7th mandate since it was launched in April 2010. Throughout the years, the EU training mission has expanded its tasks and sets out to support the internal development of a Somali‐owned training system.

    EU-Japan joint naval exercise

    Retrieved on: 
    Wednesday, October 7, 2020
    Piracy in Somalia, Geography of Africa, International criminal law, Countries, Operation Atalanta, Gulf of Aden, Transport in Somalia, Piracy, Maritime security, Water, Somalia, Anti-piracy measures in Somalia

    On 5-6 October, the European Union and Japan carried out a joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia.

    Key Points: 
    • On 5-6 October, the European Union and Japan carried out a joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia.
    • The exercise involved a warship supporting maritime patrol aircraft of EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation Atalanta and a vessel of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force patrolling the region against piracy.
    • The exercise confirmed the commitment of the EU and Japan and the coordination between their respective forces in the fight against piracy.
    • The EU and Japan are determined to pursue and enhance their cooperation on freedom of navigation and maritime security through future training initiatives and operational activities at sea.

    Operation IRINI: Council appoints new Force Commanders

    Retrieved on: 
    Friday, May 29, 2020
    European Union, European migrant crisis, In Italy, Operation Sophia, Operation Atalanta, Common Security and Defence Policy

    The Council today decided to appoint as EU Force Commander for the EU military naval operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) Rear Admiral Ettore Socci from Italy, from 6 May 2020 until 18 October 2020.

    Key Points: 
    • The Council today decided to appoint as EU Force Commander for the EU military naval operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) Rear Admiral Ettore Socci from Italy, from 6 May 2020 until 18 October 2020.
    • Rear Admiral Socci was the Force Commander of Operation SOPHIA since June 2019.
    • Background

      On 31 March 2020 the Council launched Operation IRINI with the primary purpose of enforcing the UN arms embargo in Libya, and appointed Rear Admiral Fabio Agostini from Italy as its Operation Commander.

    • The EU Force Commander acts under the authority of the Operation Commander.