The European Union is gearing up to launch a naval mission, named Aspides, in the Red Sea by mid-February. This initiative, led by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, is primarily aimed at protecting commercial vessels from attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia. Borrell disclosed that the mission’s lead nation, headquarters, participant countries, and the assets involved are to be finalized.
The decision to launch Aspides comes as a response to the increased diversion of commercial shippers’ vessels following continuous attacks by the Houthis, who claim to act in solidarity with Palestinians amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. These disruptions have begun to impact the economy, particularly cargo shipments between Asia and Europe.
While not all EU member states are expected to participate in the mission, no opposition is anticipated. Countries like France, Greece, and Italy have expressed interest in leading Aspides, and several others, including Belgium and Germany, have indicated willingness to contribute naval assets. The initial phase of the operation is expected to deploy three vessels under EU command.
Aspides will be a purely defensive operation, focused on protecting ships and intercepting attacks, without participating in strikes against the Houthis. This approach reflects a divergence from the strategy adopted by the U.S. and the U.K., which have conducted airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen.
