Haftar’s Forces Complete Training in Crete Amid Migration Focus

Senior officials of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s security forces have completed a specialized training program at the Hellenic Navy’s Maritime Interdiction Training Center (KENAP) in Marathi, Crete, according to Greek sources.

On Thursday, the Chief of the Hellenic Coast Guard, Vice Admiral Tryfon Kontizas, will visit the facility to mark the official conclusion of the training, which was conducted under the terms of a recent bilateral agreement signed during the Greek Foreign Minister’s official visit to Eastern Libya.

Sources cited by Cretalive.gr report that the Libyan officers also carried out field training exercises near Agia Galini, focusing on the detection and prevention of irregular migration — a key priority for Greek and EU border authorities.

Greece-Libya Security Ties Strengthen

The training curriculum included:

• Visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) operations on suspicious vessels
• Search and rescue (SAR) missions
• Coastal monitoring for migration control and maritime security

The program is part of Greece’s broader security assistance package to Haftar’s forces in Eastern Libya, reflecting Athens’ strategic interest in stabilizing migration routes across the southern Mediterranean.

Migration Pressure Mounts in Crete

The Eastern Libyan coastline continues to serve as a launch point for migrant smuggling operations, with Greek authorities reporting successive arrivals on Crete in recent weeks. While numbers have dipped slightly compared to July, the strain on Coast Guard personnel and infrastructure remains high.

During his visit, Vice Admiral Kontizas is expected to hold meetings with:

• Local Coast Guard station commanders
• The head of the 7th Regional Command of the Hellenic Coast Guard

Key topics include operational challenges, staff fatigue, and coordination mechanisms in light of the recent surge in migrant flows from Libya.

Strategic Implications for EU Border Management

By enhancing Libya’s coastal security capacity, Greece aims to pre-empt irregular crossings, particularly those involving unstable zones in Eastern Libya. The training also signals a wider European effort to engage with local actors and combat smuggling networks before boats even depart for European shores.

The presence of Haftar’s officers in Crete marks a significant step in bilateral cooperation, although it also raises broader geopolitical questions about EU-Libya relations and border externalization policies.

Source: pagenews.gr