The news leaked about the inspection by the personnel belonging to the mission irini (aimed at complying with the UN Resolution 2292 which prohibits the forces in the field in Libya from procuring armaments), which took place on 11 October, of the merchant ship MV Meerdijk bound for Libya, which was transporting 27 MRAP BATT UMG vehicles, rekindles the spotlight on the issue of Turkish interference in the North African country.
In the official statement of irini it is stated, without further details, that the MV Meerdijk it was then diverted to a European port in order to carry out a more detailed examination of its cargo. According to RTL News, its owners - the Dutch companies Vertom de Rhoon and Shiping Company Groningen - have not been fined or sanctioned. Probably, given the origin Emirati of the means, the recipient was the ANL of General Haftar.
In the past, the mission irini it has in no way prevented Turkey from sending weapons (and fighters) to Tripoli. Furthermore, Ankara refuses control of the merchant ships flying the Turkish flag by the European naval operation irini, one of whose missions is precisely that of guaranteeing compliance with the embargo, within the framework of a mandate conferred by the Resolution 2292 of the United Nations Security Council. Ships escorted by military units of the Turkish Navy not they are subjected to inspections and can safely unload even "sensitive goods" in the port of Misurata.
We recall that the then government of al-Sarraj (the only one recognized by the international community) had been able to resist the attacks of Haftar's militias in 2019 (which in any case benefited from the support of the UAE, Russia and Egypt) thanks to substantial Turkish military aid. .
At the end of October, a few days after signing an agreement on hydrocarbon exploration in Libyan waters, Ankara signed two military agreements with the government of Tripoli led by Abdel Hamid Dbeibah. whose authority is disputed by the one led by Fathi Bachagha, elected by the Libyan parliament and supported by General Haftar's ANL.
The first agreement would aim to improve Libya's military aviation capabilities thanks to the advice of Turkish experts. Turkish advisers and technicians should therefore be sent to Tripoli to repair planes belonging to the Dbeibah government. Training is also planned and there is talk of the delivery of modern devices.
Currently the Italian component of the Mission irini makes use of the frigate Grecale, launched in 1981.
