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Operation Agenor, small name of EMASOH, fully operational

(B2) Operation Agénor, the military component of the European maritime surveillance initiative for the Strait of Hormuz (EMASOH), led by France, the Netherlands and Denmark, has reached full operational capacity. An official ceremony has just marked this milestone

Vice-Admiral Didier Maleterre declaring the military component of EMASOH (Agénor) operational (credit: Army Staff / Alindien)

Two frigates available...

The French Forbin and Dutch De Ruyter frigates are now placed under the operational control and tactical command of the operation. A ceremony has just taken place on the place d'armes of the French naval base in the United Arab Emirates, in the presence of Admiral Rob Kramer, Chief of Staff of the Dutch Navy, General Stéphane Mille, Chief of Center for Planning and Conduct of Operations (CPCO) at the Armed Forces Staff, and Jeanette Seppen (the high civilian representative of EMASOH) (1) and Emiratis.

... under French command from Abu Dhabi

The operation is commanded by a French officer, Vice-Admiral Didier Maleterre, theAdmiral Commander of the French forces in the United Arab Emirates (FFEAU) and the Indian Ocean maritime zone (ALINDIEN). The tactical staff (Force Headquarters or FHQ), is located within the Abu Dhabi naval base, bringing together representatives of contributing States and liaison officers (notably Belgian and Danish).

A decisive step

« This is a decisive step in the commitment of European partners to the benefit of maritime security and freedom of navigation in the region. “says the (French) Ministry of the Armed Forces. " This step materializes the political project, supported by eight European countries, to implement a maritime surveillance and security mission in the Strait of Hormuz. The initial operational capacity had been reached at the end of January (read: Emasoh declared operational. Le Courbet in the area. The Zs Ms De Ruyter arrives).

An operation for freedom of navigation and regional stability

Why this small name of Agénor? The answer came from Florence Parly, the French Minister for the Armed Forces, who gave it: " Son of Poseidon and father of Europe for which he always fought, Agenor was king of Tyre. From now on, it is also the name of the military component of the European maritime surveillance mission in the Strait of Hormuz: 'for freedom of navigation and regional stability'. »

Comment: a smooth operation

Note in passing that the deadlines were respected and that the operation was set up, if not in record time, at least quickly, for a multinational mission. It was initiated initially by the British, then the Germans last July (read: Towards a combined Franco-German-British maritime operation in the Strait of Hormuz. Discussions continue). But London, like Berlin, had thrown in the towel. Finally it was Paris that took over the gauntlet, officially giving the 'the' in November (read: The operation in the Strait of Hormuz resurfaces. The French at work), supported by several Nordic countries... Like what nothing is impossible.

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

  1. Lire: Jeannette Seppen appointed High Civilian Representative of EMASOH

Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).

One thought on “Operation Agenor, small name of EMASOH, fully operational"

  • DELL'ARIA

    I discover the baptismal name of the operation. If the name of Agenor will speak (perhaps) to fans of ancient history and mythology, it will also perhaps evoke more to the sixties (and more) the little fetish character of a pub of the 60s to ensure the promotion prunes from Agen, with a beret, waistcoat and tie…in short, very French in popular imagery (but without a baguette sticking out of the shopping bag).
    Like what it would sometimes be advantageous, there too, not to be too “off the ground” and to choose references that speak to the “general public”…

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