A Royal Navy warship has left Portsmouth Naval Base in order to assist in an operation designed to counter arms trafficking.
HMS Diamond, a Type 45 destroyer, set sail to the southern Mediterranean on 31st August for a two-month deployment, replacing the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship RFA Mounts Bay during a planned maintenance period.
Operation Sophia is focused on tackling the human smugglers and arms traffickers who endanger the lives of innocent people. HMS Diamond will be focussed on tackling the movement of arms. She will provide a picture-building capability to help enforce the UN Security Council Resolution prohibiting the trafficking of arms to Libya.
HMS Diamond’s Commanding Officer, Commander Marcus Hember, said: “I’m proud that we will join the operation and make a contribution to tackling the movement of illegal arms around the region.”
The UK has also played a leading role in the counter-smuggling aspect of Operation Sophia and has committed to building the capacity of the Libyan coastguard, so the Libyans are better able to stop boats in their own territorial waters. Earlier this week HMS Enterprise rescued more than 700 people while serving on the operation.
Humanitarian aid has also been provided to Syria and Africa, supported stabilisation in Libya, and continues to play a key part in the coalition campaign against Daesh, all of which help prevent people making the perilous migration journey.
HMS Diamond’s sister ship HMS Daring will sail on Friday 2nd September to the Gulf to support US aircraft carriers launch strikes against Daesh.
Image: © BasPhoto / Shutterstock.com
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arms trafficking HMS Diamond Libya Mediterranean Operation Sophia Royal Navy Syria
Post written by: Vicky Maggiani
Vicky has worked in media for over 20 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.
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