EU launches Red Sea mission to monitor commercial vessels

The European Union (EU) launched this Monday a mission in the Red Sea to protect shipping on this important sea route and monitor merchant ships that have been the target of attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in recent weeks.

“With the launch of the Aspides mission, the EU is rapidly responding to the need to restore maritime security and freedom of navigation in a very strategic maritime corridor. This operation will be critical to protect commercial and security interests,” said a senior EU official. European bloc for foreign affairs and security policy Josep Borrell quotes a statement from the EU Council.

The Aspides mission, which means “shield” in Greek, will monitor ships, mostly cargo, crossing the Red Sea and reaching the borders of Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Israel, Yemen, Jordan and Sudan.

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“We are taking bold steps to protect the commercial and security interests of the EU and the international community,” Borrell said.

Also on social media X, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the launch of the mission, stressing that “Europe will ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, working together with international partners.”

“Beyond responding to crises, this is a step towards a stronger European presence at sea to protect our European interests,” said Ursula von der Leyen.

Meeting in Brussels at a time of prolonged tension in the Middle East, the foreign ministers of the 27 member states (including Portugal’s João Gomes Cravinho) then formally endorsed the EU naval mission in the Red Sea as blockages arise due to attacks by Houthi rebels in retaliation for the war between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The mission will be defensive in nature and no ground attacks are expected against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels who control large areas of Yemen.

Since the beginning of Israel’s military intervention in the Gaza Strip, justified by the need to nullify the military power of Hamas, Yemen’s Houthi militias have attacked ships to demand a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave.

Israel began bombing Gaza following Hamas attacks in southern Israeli territory on October 7, 2023.

Initial support from the international community has grown into criticism of Tel Aviv’s disproportionate response, which has since plagued the territory with the world’s youngest population, according to the United Nations.

The Gaza invasion is the latest episode in a more than seven-decade-long conflict between Israel and Palestine (which is still not recognized as a state), exacerbated by the rhetoric and decisions of the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, the country’s most right-wing government. history of the Jewish state.