Greece plans to deploy two frigates and an additional vessel off Libya’s territorial waters, a move aimed at deterring migrants from reaching its southern islands of Crete and Gavdos. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced this development on Monday.
While Mitsotakis did not provide specific details on the exact role or actions of these vessels, he affirmed that the deployment would be carried out in coordination with Libyan authorities and other European forces already operating in the area.
The decision comes in response to a significant surge in sea arrivals of migrants from northeastern Libya in recent months. These individuals, primarily from the Middle East and North Africa, including war-torn Sudan, are attempting to cross to Europe. More than 800 migrants have reportedly tried to reach Greece’s southern islands since Thursday alone.
Mitsotakis informed Greek President Constantine Tassoulas that the escalating situation was a key topic during a national security and defense council meeting held on Sunday, underscoring the alarming nature of the migrant influx.
“I have asked the defence minister… to ensure that Greek Navy vessels are deployed off Libya’s territorial waters to pre-emptively … send a message that traffickers will not command who enters our country,” he said.
Three vessels, including a support ship, are scheduled to leave Greece in the coming days, according to two government sources who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.
Greece has served as a key gateway into the European Union for migrants and refugees from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, especially since 2015, when nearly one million people crossed into its islands, sparking a major humanitarian crisis. While the number of arrivals from neighbouring Turkey has since declined sharply, a new trend has emerged.
In recent years, Greek authorities have reported a rise in migrant arrivals from Libya. Among them are Sudanese nationals escaping Egypt, as well as Egyptian and Bangladeshi migrants. The growing flow has prompted discussions between Athens and Cairo aimed at addressing the surge.
Meanwhile, Greece and Libya have been working to repair diplomatic ties strained by a 2019 maritime agreement between Libya and Turkey, which had drawn strong objections from Athens.
