Libyan Coast Guard Attacks Sea-Watch 5 Rescue Ship in Mediterranean

The humanitarian rescue vessel Sea-Watch 5 was attacked by the Libyan Coast Guard in international waters north of Tripoli on May 15, 2026. Unknown assailants fired warning shots from a speedboat, followed by a volley of 10 to 15 rounds, while demanding the crew hand over 90 rescued migrants. A larger Corrubia-class patrol boat also threatened to board the vessel if it did not divert to Libya. No injuries were reported, but the incident highlights escalating tensions in the region. The European Union Commission expressed regret but denied responsibility, despite its ongoing cooperation with Libyan authorities on migration control. Sea-Watch and political critics argue that EU policies, including training for Libyan forces and the EUNAVFOR MED Irini mission, directly encourage such aggressive actions. The attack occurred shortly after the German Interior Ministry issued a rare warning about dangers posed by the Libyan Coast Guard. In the aftermath, Libyan security forces arrested over 800 sub-Saharan migrants in coastal towns. The event underscores the severe risks faced by NGO rescue operations and the deteriorating human rights situation for migrants in Libya.