The European Union (EU) has initiated a naval mission aimed at safeguarding cargo ships navigating the Red Sea from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the decision to deploy Naval Force Operation Aspides, emphasizing the EU’s commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation in the region. The mission, named Aspides, will see the deployment of European warships and airborne early warning systems across the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and adjacent waters.
The launch of this mission signifies a significant step towards bolstering European maritime presence to safeguard European interests beyond immediate crisis response. Italian Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Tajani described it as a crucial advancement towards common European defense during a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels.
Several EU member states including France, Germany, Italy, and Belgium have expressed their intention to contribute ships to the Aspides mission. The operational command center for the mission will be located in the Greek city of Larissa. Notably, the mission rules dictate that Aspides vessels are only authorized to engage the Houthis if they initiate an attack and are not permitted to take preemptive action, as per an EU official.
The decision to launch this naval mission comes in response to escalating attacks by the Houthi rebels since November, targeting both commercial and military shipping in the Red Sea. Initially focused on ships with Israeli links, the scope of attacks broadened to include vessels associated with the United States and the United Kingdom following airstrikes by these countries on Houthi sites in Yemen.
The impact of these attacks has been felt economically, with Egypt particularly affected due to a decline in traffic through the Suez Canal. According to EU Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentilloni, shipping rerouting through the Red Sea has led to significant delays and cost escalations for shipments between Asia and the EU.
In a recent incident, the Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack on the Rubymar cargo ship, threatening its sinking in the Red Sea. Additionally, a Greece-flagged, US-owned cargo ship came under attack twice within two hours off southern Yemen, according to a statement by British maritime security firm Ambrey. Despite these attacks, the crews of both ships remained unharmed.
The EU’s deployment of Naval Force Operation Aspides underscores its commitment to ensuring maritime security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, aiming to mitigate the impact of Houthi attacks on global trade and safeguard European interests in the region.
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