(VOVworld) – NATO has decided to send military vessels to the Aegean Sea to help Turkey and Greece crack down on criminal networks smuggling migrants and refugees into Europe. The decision marked the bloc’s first intervention in Europe's migrant crisis. It was made at NATO defense ministers’ meeting on Thursday in Brussels following request of Germany, Greece, and Turkey for support to tackle Europe’s worst migration crisis since World War II.

Refugees and migrants approach the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey. (Photo: Reuters)

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the migrant crisis has posed a major security threat to the 28-nation alliance. NATO has directed a Germany-led maritime group to move into the Aegean Sea without delay where it will operate maritime surveillance activities. Stoltenberg added that the group is not about to stop or push back refugee boats but to contribute critical surveillance information to help counter human trafficking and criminal networks.

During the meeting, NATO defense ministers agreed to send patrol aircraft and the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) to fight IS in Syria and Iraq following the US’ proposal.