OUR Turkey refused to agree to the request of Operation Irini (Peace) to inspect the ship in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution on the arms embargo Libya.

In particular, according to a tweet from the Irini account, “Turkey today rejected the flag state’s request for the consent of Operation Irini to inspect the MATILDE A ship in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2292 regarding the arms embargo on Libya.”

“The UN Security Council calls on all UN members to cooperate with the inspections,” the message says.

Today #Turkey 🇹🇷 denied flag state consent request from #IRINI 🇪🇺 inspect MV MATILDA A in accordance with #UNSC 2292 on #arms embargo on the #Libya 🇱🇾. @UN The Security Council calls on all 🇺🇳 members of the UN to cooperate with inspections.#EUNAVFORMED@eu_eeas

— Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI (@EUNAVFOR_MED) October 10, 2022

This is not the first time that Turkey has refused to board and inspect suspicious vessels since the start of Operation Irini.

According to a recent report on the operation’s activities, since March 2020, Turkey has denied consent to boarding and searching suspect vessels eight times.

Monthly report: @eu_eeas 🇪🇺 published a summary of the results that #EUNAVFORMED Operation #IRINI achieved since its inception in March 2020, and achieved in the month #September 22nd:
➡️ https://t.co/r31XTne497#arms embargo #Libya #Mediterranean #Irini4mir pic.twitter.com/uqUFYVmMpO

— Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI (@EUNAVFOR_MED) October 4, 2022

The main objective of this operation is to implement the UN arms embargo on Libya. Secondary tasks include a mandate to help implement UN measures to prevent illegal oil exports from Libya, disrupt the business model of human trafficking networks, build capacity and train the Libyan coast guard and navy.

^{With information from APE-MPE}