The Council of the European Union has agreed to extend its maritime security mission Aspides in the Red Sea until 2027, citing persistent threats from Yemen’s Houthi militants to international shipping.
As part of the extension, the Council approved a reference financial package of nearly €15 million to cover common operational costs from March 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027. A broader strategic review of the operation is scheduled for 2026–27.
Launched in February 2024, Operation Aspides was established in response to the Red Sea crisis that escalated after repeated Houthi attacks on international commercial vessels beginning in October 2023. The mission is designed to safeguard freedom of navigation and protect merchant shipping in accordance with international law.
The operation provides defensive maritime security and seeks to ensure stability along some of the world’s most critical trade routes. Its area of operations includes key sea lanes around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, as well as maritime monitoring in the Strait of Hormuz and international waters spanning the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf.
“This decision reflects the EU’s continued commitment to maritime security, regional stability and the protection of global trade flows,” the Council said in a statement.
Last July, German media reported that a Chinese military vessel had targeted a German aircraft participating in Operation Aspides with a laser. Beijing rejected the allegation, denying that its forces had used a laser against the German plane.
