EU begins military operations against migrant smugglers

BRUSSELS

The European Union launched a new operation in the Mediterranean on Wednesday to stop migrant smugglers.

Under Operation Sophia, naval vessels will seize, search, board and divert vessels suspected of being used by smugglers trying to move refugees to the 28-nation-bloc.

EU leaders had agreed to launch the operation following meetings in Brussels on September 3 and 5.

Six ships are currently operational in the international waters off the coast of Libya, including an Italian aircraft carrier, a French frigate and one British, one Spanish and two German ships.

The naval ships are, however, not allowed to seize boats in Libyan waters because this would require approval by the United Nations Security Council.

More than 500,000 refugees entered the EU in the first eight months of the year, most from conflict zones such as Syria.