Germany is suspending participation in Operation Sophia, the EU naval deployment to counter human trafficking across the Mediterranean.

Following the deployment of the frigate Augsburg, no other German navy ship will participate, dpa reports.

Operation Sophia was launched in 2015. It is tasked with apprehending smugglers and disrupting their business model, while also training the Libyan coast guard and enforcing a weapons embargo on the conflict-ridden north African country.

The mission’s mandate was renewed in December for three months and is due to conclude at the end of March.