Operation Active Endeavour

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This article documents a current event.
Information may change rapidly as the event progresses.

Date	October 4, 2001 - present
Location	Mediterranean, Strait of Gibraltar
Result	79,000 ships monitored (as of 2006); tightened control of black market trafficking lines in the Mediterrenean.
Casus belli	September 11, 2001 attacks
Territorial changes	Mainly Spain and international waters

Combatants

NATO, represented by Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain and Turkey

Commanders

Vice Admiral Roberto Cesaretti, Italian Navy

Operation Active Endeavour is a naval operation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. It operates in the Mediterranean Sea and is designed to prevent the movement of terrorists or weapons of mass destruction as well as to enhance the security of shipping in general. It began on October 4, 2001 as one of the eight NATO responses to the September 11, 2001 attacks, although it did not acquire its current name until October 16. It was one of the first military actions taken by NATO in response to an invocation of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty which provides for collective defense. The current operation is conducted by Standing NRF Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) and Standing NRF Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2). Since its inception, the ships of Active Endeavour have monitored over 79,000 ships (as of April 12, 2006) and conducted voluntary boardings of over 100. They have also escorted over 480 ships through the Strait of Gibraltar until escorting was suspended in 2004.

While conducting counter-terrorist operations in the Mediterranean Sea, ships assigned to Operation Active Endeavor have also assisted the Greek government with the prevention of illegal immigration. On March 23, 2006, NATO forces alerted the Hellenic Coast Guard of a vessel named "M/V Crystal". The coast guard units intercepted the ship and arrested the captain and crew who were attempting to smuggle 126 illegal immigrants. Vice Admiral Roberto Cesaretti went on to state "Although this event relates to criminals, there is also a message for the terrorists here – we are looking for you, and when we find you – there will be no place to hide."