This list includes multinational maritime-security coalitions, forces and operations established in the Mediterranean Sea and its approaches in order to protect shipping, enforce freedom of navigation, suppress piracy or respond to other maritime threats. It also includes operations with other primary goals when these involve major naval activity.
Coalition, force or operation Period Principal area Character and relevance to shipping Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance 2026–present Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb and Gulf of Aden A Saudi-led alliance established during the 2026 Iran war to support collective maritime defence, freedom of navigation, international trade and the security of energy-supply routes. Operation Aspides 2024–present Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf A European Union operation during the Red Sea crisis providing maritime situational awareness, accompanying merchant vessels and defending them against attacks at sea. Operation Prosperity Guardian 2023–present Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb and Gulf of Aden A United States-led multinational operation formed in response to Houthi attacks on commercial shipping; cooperates with Combined Task Force 153 to provide security for vessels using the Red Sea route. Operation Irini 2020–present Central Mediterranean A European Union operation primarily enforcing of the United Nations arms embargo on Libya. European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz 2020–present Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea A French-led European initiative with naval component, Operation AGENOR, monitors maritime traffic and accompanies or reassures merchant vessels. International Maritime Security Construct 2019–present Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Bab-el-Mandeb and southern Red Sea A multinational coalition, formed after attacks on and seizures of oil tankers in 2019 by Houthis, conducts surveillance and defensive patrols to preserve freedom of navigation. Operation Sea Guardian 2016–present Mediterranean This successor to Operation Active Endeavour provides maritime situational awareness, supports counterterrorism efforts, freedom of navigation and protection of critical maritime infrastructure. Operation Sophia 2015–2020 Central Mediterranean A European Union naval operation directed against migrant-smuggling and human-trafficking networks. Operation Ocean Shield 2009–2016 Gulf of Aden, Somali coast and Arabian Sea NATO's multinational counter-piracy operation protected merchant and humanitarian shipping. Operation Atalanta 2008–present Gulf of Aden, waters off Somalia and the western Indian Ocean A European Union counter-piracy operation protects World Food Programme vessels and other vulnerable ships sailing the route between the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal. UNIFIL Maritime Task Force 2006–present Lebanese territorial waters and the eastern Mediterranean A multinational United Nations naval force monitored the maritime traffic, assisted Lebanon in preventing unauthorized arms shipments and helped the Lebanese Navy. Combined Maritime Forces 2002–present Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, Bab-el-Mandeb and Red Sea A multinational naval partnership including task forces CTF 150, CTF 151, CTF 152 and CTF 153 is responsible for counter-piracy, maritime security and protection of shipping. Operation Active Endeavour 2001–2016 Mediterranean and Strait of Gibraltar A NATO counterterrorism operation monitored and boarded suspect vessels, as well as escorted designated merchant vessels through the Strait of Gibraltar. European Maritime Force 1995–present Principally the Mediterranean and its approaches A non-standing regional force established by France, Italy, Portugal and Spain to provide sea control, freedom of navigation and protection of sea lines of communication. Operation Sharp Guard 1993–1996 Adriatic Sea A joint NATO–Western European Union operation enforced United Nations sanctions and the arms embargo against the former Yugoslavia. Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 1969–present Mediterranean and adjoining waters A multinational NATO naval formation, formerly known as the Naval On-Call Force Mediterranean and Standing Naval Force Mediterranean, supports maritime readiness, sea control and freedom of navigation. Anglo-Dutch expedition against Algiers 1816 Western Mediterranean A British–Dutch naval expedition intended to suppress corsairing from Algiers, release captives and compel the Deylik of Algiers to end attacks on European shipping. Allied expedition against Algiers 1784 Western Mediterranean An ad hoc Spanish, Neapolitan, Maltese and Portuguese fleet sent against Algiers with the aim of ending corsair attacks on shipping. Holy League (1332) 1332–1337 Aegean and eastern Mediterranean An alliance formed to stop naval raids by the Turkish Anatolian beyliks, which threatened islands, coastal settlements and maritime commerce. Delian League 478–404 BC Aegean Sea An alliance against the Achaemenid Empire also suppressed piracy and secured Aegean maritime communications and commerce.
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