A top European Union military officer announced that a frigate involved in an EU mission in the Red Sea successfully destroyed a drone launched from an area in Yemen controlled by Houthi rebels on Thursday morning. The EU's military committee chair emphasized the importance of conserving resources in the face of ongoing threats posed by Houthi attacks, which are linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The primary objective of the EU mission, named Aspides, meaning 'shields' in Greek, is to protect merchant ships and demonstrate the EU's commitment to safeguarding freedom of movement at sea. The EU is seeking additional resources from member states to bolster the mission's capabilities.
This marks the first time the EU has conducted a naval operation in a hostile environment twice the size of the bloc, serving as a significant test of its operational effectiveness. The EU naval mission in the Red Sea, involving 19 of the 27 EU nations, aims to enhance its presence to counter potential threats from Houthi rebels based in Yemen.
The EU mission, established in February, focuses on defending civilian vessels and refrains from engaging in military offensives. The southern Red Sea region is designated as a high-risk area due to ongoing security concerns.
Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have been carrying out drone and missile attacks on shipping in the Red Sea since November, impacting maritime trade routes to Egypt and Europe. The attacks have led to disruptions in shipping schedules, resulting in longer transit times and increased transportation costs for vessels avoiding the Suez Canal.
Despite the rebels' stated goal of pressuring Israel to end the conflict, the targeted ships have had minimal or no connection to the involved nations. The Houthi campaign persists despite retaliatory airstrikes led by the United States for over two months.
