The European Union on Monday officially launched its mission – EUNAVFOR ASPIDES – to ‘ensure freedom of navigation’ by protecting maritime traffic in the Red Sea which has been disrupted by Yemeni Houthi attacks, the European Commission President said.
The Houthis, who control large areas of Yemen, say they have been carrying out attacks on ships in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Israel is waging war against Gaza’s Hamas rulers in retaliation for an October 7 attack on Israel.
These attacks in the Red Sea triggered retaliatory strikes by U.S. and British forces, the latest of which took place Saturday.
Several countries have expressed their intention to participate in this mission, called Aspides (“shield” in ancient Greek), including Belgium, Italy, Germany and France. Spain has indicated that it will not participate.
“Europe will ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, in coordination with our international partners,” EC President Ursula von der Leyen posted on X from an EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels.
“We have just approved the launch of the naval military operation Aspides, of which Italy will have command of the forces,” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed on X.
Three ships have become the latest targets for Houthi missiles in the Red Sea, with one vessel sustaining severe enough damage to warrant it being abandoned by its crew.
The British-owned, Lebanese-operated bulk carrier MV Rubymar was on 18 February hit by the Houthis while transiting the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb. The UK Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO) reported the incident, and a spokesman for the Houthi group claimed responsibility for the attack later on Monday.
The UKMTO subsequently said that the crew had abandoned ship, and that military responders were on scene assisting.
“As a result of the extensive damage the ship suffered, it is now at risk of potential sinking in the Gulf of Aden. During the operation, we made sure that the ship’s crew exited safely,” said Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree in a statement.
Private security firm Ambrey reported the Rubymar had been on its way to Bulgaria after leaving Khorfakkan in the United Arab Emirates.
Meanwhile, on the night of 16-17 February, four anti-ship ballistic missiles launched were launched by the Houthis, with at least three targeting the tanker MT Pollux. The US military’s Central Command said there were no reported injuries or damage from MT Pollux or any other ship in the area, but the US State Department said it was struck by a single missile in the Red Sea.
The UKTMO reported the oil tanker was hit approximately 72 nautical miles northwest of Mokha, Yemen. The security agency confirmed that the crew onboard was safe and that the MT Pollux suffered only minor damage.
“The naval forces of the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a targeting operation against a British oil ship (Pollux) in the Red Sea with a large number of appropriate naval missiles, and the strikes were accurate and direct,” said Saree.
On 15 February, Central Command reported an anti-ship ballistic missile launched from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen into the Gulf of Aden. The missile was headed toward MV Lycavitos, a Barbados-flagged, UK-owned and operated bulk carrier. The ship reported no injuries but very minor damage in the attack and continued its voyage.
The Iran-backed Houthis, who hold a considerable part of Northwest Yemen under their control, say they are targeting ships linked to Israel and this is in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The Yemeni Armed Forces announced on Monday that it targeted two U.S. ships in the Gulf of Aden, claiming that the two vessels – ‘Sea Champion’ and Navis Fortuna,’ “were struck with a number of appropriate naval missiles and received a direct hit.
And in the last 24 hours preceding the announced strike, the Yemeni Houthis said it has carried out four operations against U.S. and the UK allied forces, claiming that one of the targeted British ship sank on Sunday.
According to a Spokesperson of the Yemeni Houthi forces: “We shot down an American MQ9 aircraft with a suitable missile in Hodeidah while it was carrying out hostile missions. We carried out a qualitative military operation targeting a British ship in the Gulf of Aden with a number of missiles
“The British ship was seriously injured, causing it to stop completely. As a result of the massive damage to the ship, it is at risk of sinking in the Gulf of Aden. During the operation, we made sure that the crew of the British ship exited safely.”
The mission is planned for one year but may be renewed.
It will be up to the mission’s command to determine when it will have sufficient resources to be fully operational. That should take “a few weeks,” according to a European diplomat.
The German frigate Hessen left on February 8 for the Red Sea, with a crew of 240. It will be in a state of permanent alert and will be able to respond to possible attacks with remotely controlled missiles, drones and boats.
Greek general command
Belgium has announced its intention to send its frigate Marie-Louise. France has said it is ready to make one of its frigates already present in the Red Sea available to the Aspides mission.
The EU agreed in January on the principle of a maritime surveillance and patrol mission in the Red Sea, provided that its mandate was purely defensive.
Greece will assume general command of this mission and Italy will assume operational command at sea, a European diplomatic source explained Friday.
It will be able to fire to defend merchant ships or defend itself but will not be able to target objectives on land against Houthi rebel positions in Yemen, according to diplomats.