On 4 August, the Panamanian flagged cargo ship, AYA1, reportedly arrived in Misrata port after having been intercepted by the EUNAVFOR Operation Irini in the eastern Mediterranean in mid-July. According to TA NEA, NATO had reportedly received intelligence that the cargo ship was carrying military jeeps and possibly weapons from the UAE to Benghazi for the Haftar regime. After AYA1’s initial interception, it was taken under full control by the Italian navy vessel ITS Morosini, which escorted it to the port of Astakos in Aetolia-Acarnania, Greece, arriving on 27 July.
Military vehicles were reportedly identified, despite the vessel’s cargo manifest stating the containers did not carry military equipment, but rather cosmetics, cigarettes, electronic appliances, etc. However, it is not clear whether the military vehicles were subsequently removed. Following intense behind-the-scenes activity, and after the case was handled with absolute secrecy by the Greek Ministries of National Defense and Foreign Affairs, the ship eventually departed for Misrata on 31 July.