The Timucin-A: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

The freighter 'Roseline A', previously under the supervision of the German Navy in the Mediterranean, has been embroiled in controversy over allegations of smuggling arms to Libya. This information comes from a confidential European Union report prepared for United Nations arms embargo investigators. The inspection of the vessel has sparked significant backlash from Turkey, which has deemed the operation illegal, accusing Germany and the EU of unauthorized force. However, sufficient evidence has been gathered suggesting that the 'Roseline A' may have been breaching the UN arms embargo imposed on Libya. German naval personnel conducted the inspection with professionalism, adhering to established NATO protocols. As of now, it remains uncertain if the freighter indeed carried weapons or other illicit materials. On November 22, the German Navy was forced to halt the search due to Turkey's official protest as the flag state. Currently, under the EU Operation Irini framework, conducting inspections against crew resistance or flag state opposition is not permissible. A lack of specialized forces for high-risk missions has further complicated these efforts. The Turkish Foreign Ministry claims that the vessel was transporting paint materials and humanitarian aid; however, this assertion is under scrutiny. Observers question why Turkey would resist an inspection if the 'Roseline A' was not involved in smuggling drones or military goods. Critics argue that Ankara's protests imply the possibility of concealed activities. This confidential report serves as the first comprehensive six-month assessment of the EU mission, highlighting that participating nations did not meet operational support levels from April through September. The number of ships available consistently fell short of minimum operational needs, and the Italian flagship 'ITS Margottini' was sidelined ahead of schedule on September 26 due to an outbreak of approximately 80 COVID-19 cases onboard.

In a firm stance on November 24, 2021, German Federal Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (CDU) dismissed Turkey's complaints regarding the deployment of German troops tasked with monitoring the vessel 'Roseline E' amidst concerns over alleged arms shipments to Libya. Speaking from Berlin, she stated, "The Army soldiers acted entirely within their rights, performing their obligations under the EU 'Irini' mandate." This mission is crucial for curbing illegal arms deliveries to Libya. The situation escalated when Turkish authorities denied permission for German forces to inspect the ship, leading to the abandonment of the inspection. Ankara has labeled the German Navy's actions as "unauthorized," and even summoned the EU ambassador to express its dissatisfaction. Kramp-Karrenbauer reiterated the importance of Turkey as a NATO ally, suggesting, "We must consider the implications of losing a NATO partner. It would complicate matters not only for us but also for neighboring nations like Greece." She commended Turkey as a reliable partner in joint NATO operations. However, she acknowledged the complexities of Turkey's dual role, stating that Turkey poses significant challenges due to its domestic policies and diverging agendas from European interests. Turkey remains actively engaged in several international disputes, notably in the contested Nagorno-Karabakh region and Libya, where it provides military support to some factions involved in these conflicts.

On the morning of November 23, 2020, Turkey's Foreign Ministry called the Italian, German, and European ambassadors to Ankara, following an incident involving the German frigate 'Hamburg' that occurred the previous evening. The frigate halted the cargo vessel 'Roseline A' in international waters, approximately 200 kilometers north of Benghazi, Libya, at 5:54 p.m. on November 22, as part of the European Union’s Operation Irini aimed at enforcing the United Nations arms embargo against Libya. According to Turkish officials, the 'Roseline A' was transporting food and humanitarian supplies to Misrata when it was stopped southwest of the Peloponnese. Turkey condemned the inspection as "unauthorized and forceful," noting that the search was halted immediately after they lodged a protest, denying consent for the investigation. In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry reported that the crew members of the vessel were subjected to a forcible search. Deputy Minister Sedat Onel met with the Italian ambassador, the German Embassy's Charge d'Affaires, and the European Union's envoy to Turkey to formally express Turkey’s objections to the incident. In response, Germany declared that they adhered to all necessary protocols during the mission and confirmed that no weapons or illegal materials were discovered aboard the vessel. The 'Roseline A' had set sail from Yarimca on November 20, 2020, with its captain cooperating fully with the authorities and sharing details regarding the ship's cargo and journey. However, armed personnel from the German military boarded the cargo ship by helicopter, executing a search that lasted several hours. The Turkish Foreign Ministry described the situation as distressing, with personnel treated as criminals throughout the ordeal. Turkey expressed regret over the extensive delay for the ship in harsh weather conditions and emphasized that this intrusion violated international law. The Ministry stressed that they are reserving their rights to seek reparations for any damages incurred. Germany maintains that the mission complied with all operational protocols, stating that they informed Turkish authorities of their intent to inspect the ship and proceeded with the boarding after receiving no objections for four hours. A spokesperson from Berlin explained that the decision to inspect the vessel was made by Operation Irini’s headquarters in Rome, not by the German military. Once Turkey objected to the inspection, the operation was promptly suspended, and a full inspection was never realized. Operation Irini later released a statement confirming that the search was conducted under the framework of relevant UN Security Council resolutions. They mentioned that although the ship's crew initially complied with the boarding, activities were ceased upon Turkey's denial for the inspection. Additionally, both Turkey and Germany acknowledged that no illicit materials or arms were found aboard the 'Roseline A' during the brief search. Operation Irini also ensured that all recommended COVID-19 precautions were adhered to during the inspection process.