On Monday, the European Union officially initiated a naval operation with the aim of safeguarding Red Sea maritime routes from Yemen’s Houthi rebels. This development occurred as a cargo ship owned by the US was subjected to two separate attacks in the area.
The Houthis, supported by Iran and in control of a significant portion of conflict-ridden Yemen, have been causing disturbances in the crucial shipping route since November. They assert that their actions are a demonstration of unity with the Palestinians in Gaza amidst the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The European Union intends to operationalize a mission, named Aspides – the Greek term for “shield”, within a “few weeks”. The mission will comprise at least four ships, as stated by an official on Friday, prior to the formal commencement on Monday.
“Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, assured on X (previously known as Twitter) that Europe is committed to maintaining the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea in collaboration with our global allies.”
ICYMI: The #EuropeanUnion has officially launched a mission to help protect international shipping in the #RedSea from attacks by Yemen’s Houthis, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen says.https://t.co/0mPbcGxf8q
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) February 19, 2024
The United States is currently leading a naval alliance in the region and has carried out counterattacks on Houthi locations in Yemen, a course of action that Britain has also followed.
Numerous Houthi assaults have disrupted maritime activities in the Red Sea, compelling several companies to resort to alternate paths, including a two-week diversion around the southernmost point of Africa.
In the latest incident, a Greek-flagged, US-owned cargo ship was attacked twice in two hours in the Gulf of Aden, which adjoins the Red Sea, maritime security firm Ambrey said.
Ambrey reported that the bulk carrier announced a “missile attack,” followed by another missile striking the water just a few metres (yards) away from the ship.
The captain of the ship reported “signs of shrapnel and damage to the paintwork” during the second incident, as stated by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) of the Royal Navy.
Previously, the Houthis asserted responsibility for an assault on a British vessel in the Gulf of Aden. This followed Ambrey’s report of an attack on a cargo ship registered in the UK, located in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a strategic waterway connecting the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
The UKMTO disclosed an event occurring 35 nautical miles (equivalent to 65 kilometres) south of Mokha, along Yemen’s Red Sea shoreline. However, the identity of the ship involved was not revealed. The specified location suggests proximity to the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Referring to “military authorities”, the UKMTO stated that the crew had securely “vacated the ship”. The vessel was left anchored, with military authorities present at the location and offering aid.
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