The EU has announced an operation to protect commercial ships from attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. However, the EU will not attack the territory of Yemen.
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Currently, they are sending ships to four countries. Despite concerns about arms and ammunition for Ukraine and concerns about its own security under pressure from the Trump camp, the European Union is not sitting idly by.
The Houthi rebels' violence in Yemen has disrupted commercial shipping in the Red Sea, taking a toll on global trade. Many companies are forced to ship on alternate and much longer routes.
EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Paolo Genciloni said the 10 to 15-day delay is increasing the cost of shipping goods between Europe and Asia by almost 400 percent.
Some countries, including the United States and Britain, are trying to counter the situation by sending warships and retaliating against the Iran-backed Houthis.
This time the EU decided to be active there.
The EU formally announced a naval mission in the Red Sea on Monday. The four ships will reach the Red Sea in a few weeks as part of the operation, named 'Aspides' or shield in Greek. So far, France, Germany, Italy and Belgium have sent ships to contribute to the mission.
However, the year-long operation is aimed only at protecting private vessels in the Red Sea. The EU will not attack Yemeni territory. Warships can retaliate only when attacked. The operation will continue in the area from the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Along with ships, aerial warning systems will also be deployed.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU would work with international partners to ensure free shipping there.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said this is an important step towards building a common European defense capability.
On Monday evening, Houthi rebels said they had attacked three ships in 24 hours. British and US registered ships were specifically attacked. Earlier, Ambre, a maritime security company, reported that two attacks were carried out in two hours on a Greek-flagged US-owned ship.
The Houthi rebels are disrupting shipping in the Red Sea, citing the Israeli attack on Gaza. Qatar's Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi called for a ceasefire in Gaza on Monday. He described the situation in Gaza as the "root of the problem" and expressed hope that the ceasefire would stop the economic impact around the world. Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said the Suez Canal's revenue has fallen by 40 to 50 percent this year due to tensions in the Red Sea.
