EU to launch in February maritime defense mission in Red Sea
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, said on Wednesday the bloc’s desire to launch a defense mission in the Red Sea in mid-February to protect ships from attacks launched by the Iran-backed Houthis group from Yemen.
On Jan. 27, the Houthis stated that it is capable of sinking ships and vessels from any point on land to any point in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea.
“A European Union naval mission to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea from missile attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen is expected to be launched on February 19,” Borrell said after a meeting of EU defense ministers in Brussels.
“We are expecting the Council decision by February 19, which we can then follow up with the accelerated German referral to the Bundestag,” Siemtje Moller, Germany’s state secretary for defense, told reporters before Wednesday’s meeting.
To date, five EU member states have demonstrated their willingness to take part in the mission: Germany, France, Belgium, Greece, and Italy.
Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict on Oct. 7, Iran-backed Houthi militants have frequently fired missiles and drones against military and shipping vessels deployed in the Red Sea, leading many global shipping companies to suspend their operations in the Red Sea.