Türkiye denies one more time a request from IRINI to inspect MV Matilde A.

According to a tweet published by the EU on October 10, 2022, Türkiye denies one more time a flag state consent request from IRINI to inspect MV Matilde A.
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The Greek flagship of Operation IRINI, HS Aegean. (Picture source: OpIrini)

The European Union Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) was launched on 31 March 2020 with the primary mission to enforce the United Nations arms embargo to Libya due to the Second Libyan Civil War.

Operation IRINI is a European Union military operation under the umbrella of the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP). The operation is expected to use aerial, maritime and satellite assets.

The headquarters of the operation are in Rome, Italy. Italy and Greece alternate the Force Commander every six months (together with the rotation of the flagship).

On 10 June 2020, the Greek frigate Spetsai under the command of IRINI operation attempted to inspect the Tanzanian-flagged cargo vessel Çirkin which was suspected of carrying arms to Libya, but was ordered to retreat after warnings from Turkish frigates accompanying the cargo vessel.

According to sources, the Turkish commander's message was that 'the Turkish ship is under the protection of the Turkish Republic'. Later, on 17 June 2020, France also accused Turkish ships of harassing a French warship from the NATO Operation Sea Guardian as they tried to inspect the Çirkin and that the Turkish Navy was using their NATO call signs while accompanying Turkish vessels suspected of breaking the UN arms embargo on Libya.

According to French officials, when the French ship tried to inspect the vessel, the Turkish vessel switched off its tracking system, masked its ID number and refused to say where she was going, while the Turkish frigates flashed their radar lights three times against the French warship, suggesting a missile strike was imminent.