Europe migrant crisis: fighting migrant traffickers in the Mediterranean

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This is the Sophia… a European mission now entering its second stage.
Its purpose is fight migrant smugglers and traffickers in the Mediterranean sea… It will now be able to arrest suspicious vessels.
So far it can only operate in international waters off the North African coastline, especially Libya.
Libya is seen as the largest hub for migrant trafficking in the region.

The operation involves:
5 warships
3 reconnaissance aircraft
3 helicopters
2 submarines
And 2 drones

The command ship is an Italian aircraft carrier but this time it will carry no fighter jets.
22 European countries are providing 1318 troops for the operation.

The first phase focused on surveillance of human smuggling and trafficking networks in the Mediterranean.
Next up, Europeans want to be able to use force against traffickers in Libyan waters. But for that, they will need a green light from the UN. It’s a dangerous step because of the terrorism risks.
Sophia will coordinate with NATO’s counterterrorism operation, which has been patrolling the Mediterranean since 2001.
Another European mission in the area… The FRONTEX agency runs Operation Triton, to control European borders and rescue migrants.

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