The EU plans to launch a naval mission in the Red Sea by mid-February to protect ships from attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia, foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.
Many commercial shippers have diverted ships following attacks by the Houthis, who control much of Yemen and say they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians as Israel and Hamas wage war in Gaza. Borrell told reporters ahead of a European Union defence ministers’ meeting.
Not all member states will be willing to participate but no one will obstruct … I hope that on the 17th of this month (February) the mission can be launched.
On Wednesday, EU member states will choose a lead country and determine where the mission will be headquartered, who will participate and with what means.
In December, the United States launched Operation Prosperity Guardian, a mission that includes European countries such as the UK and Denmark.
But some US allies, particularly European countries, have raised doubts about the plan, which involves US and British airstrikes on Houthi positions, and also rejected the idea that the mission would be under Washington’s command.
Borrell said the EU operation would be called Aspides, which means “defender”. Its mandate would be to protect commercial facilities and intercept attacks, but not to engage in strikes against the Houthis.
France, Greece and Italy have expressed interest in leading the mission, and seven countries have so far indicated they would be willing to send naval forces, diplomats said, adding that the operation would build on existing EU missions in the region.
Initially, three ships under EU command will take part in the operation. Germany plans to send the frigate Hesse, while France and Italy already have warships in the region, diplomats said.
