Athens: The Greek government has announced the deployment of naval vessels to international waters off the coast of Libya in a renewed effort to stem the flow of irregular migrants crossing the Mediterranean. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis confirmed that two frigates and an auxiliary support ship will be dispatched "within the next few days" as part of a strategic initiative to strengthen border controls and disrupt the activities of human traffickers operating along this increasingly active migration route.
This move comes in response to a sharp increase in migrant arrivals to southern Greek islands, particularly Crete and Gavdos. Over 800 migrants have landed in the area since last Thursday alone, signaling a sudden escalation in crossings that the Greek government views as a growing threat to national security and humanitarian stability. The Prime Minister stressed that this was a coordinated operation and not an isolated act of naval aggression. Greece, he noted, is working closely with Libyan authorities and European partners already present in the region.
Mitsotakis emphasized the necessity of preventing smugglers from “dictating who enters our country,” adding that the presence of Greek warships is a clear signal to criminal networks that Athens is prepared to act preemptively. The operation is designed not only to intercept vessels at sea but also to send a broader message of deterrence to those considering the perilous journey across the Mediterranean.
The Prime Minister also pointed to the emerging migration routes originating from Egypt, marking a significant shift in the dynamics of irregular migration. Greek intelligence reports suggest that a number of recent arrivals included Egyptians and Bangladeshis, indicating that smugglers are diversifying their departure points to evade surveillance and maritime blockades. This evolution in migration patterns has added urgency to Greece’s naval response and its calls for deeper cooperation with both North African nations and the European Union.
Greece’s decision to increase its maritime presence near Libya also reflects a broader attempt to reset its diplomatic relationship with Tripoli. Ties between Greece and Libya had been strained in recent years, particularly following a controversial 2019 maritime border deal between Libya and Turkey. Mitsotakis’ current overtures aim to re-establish mutual trust while jointly addressing the regional migration crisis.
This deployment of frigates underscores Greece’s broader commitment to protect the southern frontier of the European Union. As the gateway to the Schengen area, Greece is under pressure not only to secure its own borders but also to safeguard the broader European security landscape. The coming days will test how effective this naval strategy is in deterring new waves of migrants and whether it can serve as a sustainable model for Mediterranean border control.