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The operation will deploy European warships and early warning systems to the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters.
The European Union has launched a naval mission to protect cargo ships in the Red Sea from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the decision to deploy Naval Operation Aspides on Monday, stating that “Europe will work with its international partners to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.” Stated.
“This is a step beyond crisis response and towards strengthening Europe’s presence at sea to protect European interests.”
I welcome today’s decision to launch the EU Navy’s Operation Aspides.
Europe will work with international partners to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.
This is a step beyond crisis response to strengthening Europe’s presence at sea to protect our countries.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 19, 2024
The naval mission will deploy European warships and airborne early warning systems to the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed the launch at a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels, Belgium, calling it “an important step towards Europe’s common defense.”
So far, France, Germany, Italy and Belgium have said they plan to donate ships.
The Aspides warship, whose operational command center is based in the Greek city of Larissa, will only be given the order to fire if the Houthis launch a first strike and will not be allowed to fire first, EU officials told German news agency dpa.
Since November, the Houthis have been attacking commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea, a busy region where 12% of world trade moves. The group initially said it was targeting Israeli-linked vessels in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, which has been under attack by Israel since October.
The group later announced it would expand its targeting to vessels linked to the United States and Britain, after Washington and London launched airstrikes on Houthi strongholds in Yemen in response to attacks on ships.
On Friday, EU officials said the country hardest hit by the Houthi attacks was Egypt, not Israel, and the Suez Canal Authority’s revenue had fallen by 40% due to reduced traffic.
“Due to the rerouting of transport through the Red Sea, delivery times for transport between Asia and the EU will increase by 10 to 15 days,” EU Economic Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni told reporters on Thursday. “The cost of transportation has increased by about 400 days.” percent. “
Earlier on Monday, the Houthis claimed the Belizean, British-flagged, Lebanese-operated cargo ship Rubimar had been attacked in the Red Sea and said it was at risk of sinking.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saleh said the crew was safe despite the attack.
“The ship suffered a severe impact and came to a complete stop. As a result of the extensive damage sustained by the ship, it is now at risk of sinking in the Gulf of Aden,” Saleh said.
He said the group also shot down a U.S. drone in the port city of Hodeidah.
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