EU Launches Naval Mission “Eunavfor Aspides” To Protect Red Sea Shipping

The European Union has launched a naval mission to restore and safeguard the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. The defensive maritime security operation, dubbed the Eunavfor Aspides, comes after Iran-backed Houthis started launching attacks on international shipping in the waters of the Red Sea to show support to Hamas in Palestine in its ongoing war with Israel.

The EU has been responding promptly to the necessity for restoring maritime security and the freedom of navigation in a critical maritime corridor, the foreign policy chief of the EU stated on Monday. The mission will extend maritime situational awareness within the defensive mandate, accompany vessels, and safeguard them against multi-domain attacks while at sea, the statement specified.

The statement has not specified the number of ships that will be involved. An EU spokesperson has not immediately responded to a request for comment. However, the EU diplomats informed Reuters that it would affect three vessels under the EU command as part of the so-called Common Security and Defence Policy (abbreviated as the CSDP).

Germany has already sent out an air defence frigate to participate in the mission this month. Besides, two diplomats have also informed Reuters that Italy and France would contribute. The EU mentioned that the mission would remain active along the key sea channels of communication in the Strait of Hormuz as well as the Baab al-Mandab Strait, and also waters in the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, the Gulf, and the Gulf of Oman.

Reference: Reuters

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