Immigration security

EU Launches Ops To Intercept Ships Smuggling People

The European Union has launched a new operation in the southern Mediterranean to intercept boats smuggling migrants.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini described the operation as part of a “comprehensive approach” to migration.

The EU started the first phase of its operation, called EUNavforMed, in June, using naval surveillance to detect smugglers' boats and monitor smuggling patterns from Libya towards Italy and Malta. Until now, the EU has focused on surveillance and rescue operations but under the new phase, called "Operation Sophia," naval vessels will be able to board, search, seize and divert vessels suspected of being used for people smuggling.