BRUSSELS: Nato launched on Thursday an unprecedented naval mission in the Aegean Sea to tackle people smugglers taking migrants and refugees from the Turkish coast, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said.

The move follows a request this week by alliance members Germany, Greece and Turkey for assistance in tackling Europe’s biggest migrant crisis since World War II.

Speaking after Nato defence ministers approved the mission, Mr Stoltenberg said the alliance was “now directing the standing maritime group to move into the Aegean without delay and start maritime surveillance activities”.

The group comprises three ships that are currently under German command.

The Nato chief said the migrant crisis, driven by turmoil in Syria and across the Middle East and North Africa, posed a major security threat to the 28-nation alliance.

“This is not about stopping and pushing back (refugee boats)... but about critical surveillance to help counter human trafficking and criminal networks,” he said.

The move is a major step forward into humanitarian territory for Nato, an alliance formed during the depths of the Cold War and which normally reserves its assets for strictly military matters.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Turkey on Monday, agreeing to make the request to Nato as thousands more refugees fled heavy fighting around the Syrian city of Aleppo.

US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter earlier said the Nato ministers had backed the plan.

“Nato and all the parties at the table this morning indicated a willingness for Nato to support and be a part of that operation,” he said.

“All three of those countries emphasised the need for Nato to act quickly, with which the United States strongly agrees, because these are people’s lives and destinies at stake here.”

Mr Carter said military planners would now look at the issue and report back to Nato for final approval.

German Defence Minister Ursula Von der Leyen said that “several Nato members had pledged ships” for the mission.

“There is a clear accord with Turkey that any refugees picked up will be sent back to Turkey,” she told reporters.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2016

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