NATO Patrols Aegean To Stop People Smugglers

NATO is to begin naval patrols and surveillance and intelligence flights in the region, as well as intelligence gathering missions in the Aegean, to stop people smugglers.

"This is about helping Greece, Turkey and the European Union with stemming the flow of migrants and refugees and coping with a very demanding situation," NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said.

More than 400 people have died this year already trying to reach the EU by the sea, according to the International Organisation for Migration. The death toll in the Mediterranean in 2015 reached 3,800.

So far, NATO can count only on three ships deployed as a part of German-led force but other member have offered to send vessels to boost the fleet.

Defence ministers from the 28 countries in the alliance have agreed in principle to the mission, but a number of details of the operation are being worked out.

It remains to be agreed how NATO patrols will deal with intercepted boats, or distinguish between vessels run by smugglers from boats used by refugees.

The US said it supported the deployment of naval patrols, as the US Defense Secretary, Ash Carter, warned that "a criminal syndicate is exploiting these poor people.

"Targeting that is the greatest way an effect could be had," he said.