EU GREEN LIGHTS GREEK LED NAVAL MISSION IN THE RED SEA
In our post on February 13, 2024 from which we concluded that the Red Sea piracy by Yemen's Houthis had become untenable (link), today the EU Commission gave the green light for the Greek led EU mission, code named 'Aspides' to defend commercial shipping against Iran-backed Houthi missile attacks. The decision coincides with the Houthis attacking a British ship that has since reported to have sunk.
I welcome today’s decision to launch the EU Naval Force Operation Aspides.Europe will ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, working alongside our international partners.Beyond crisis response, it's a step towards a stronger European presence at sea to protect our…— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 19, 2024
"The naval mission will send European warships and airborne early warning systems to the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters (...) EU Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentilloni told reporters on Thursday: “As shipping through the Red Sea has been rerouted, delivery times for shipments between Asia and the EU have increased by 10 to 15 days, and the costs of these shipments have gone up by around 400 percent."
"Earlier on Monday, the Houthis claimed an attack on the Rubymar cargo ship, a Belize-flagged, British-registered and Lebanese-operated cargo ship, in the Red Sea and said it was at risk of sinking.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said the crew were safe despite the attack.
"The ship was seriously hit which caused it to stop completely. As a result of the extensive damage the ship suffered, it is now at risk of sinking in the Gulf of Aden," Sarea said. He said the group had also shot down a US drone in the port city of Hodeidah.
"Separately on Monday, British maritime security firm Ambrey said in a statement that a Greece-flagged, US-owned cargo ship also came under attack twice in two hours off southern Yemen.
Ambrey said the vessel reported a "missile attack" in the Gulf of Aden before another projectile hit the water close to the ship. The ship and its crew, including five Greek members, were safe and proceeding to the next port of call.
(More on Al Jazeera).
The EU launched a new maritime operation in the Red Sea, called ASPIDES after the ancient Greek word for “shield”.It will:☑️ ensure freedom of navigation☑️ protect commercial vessels from Houthi attacks☑️ have a defensive nature☑️ provide maritime situational awarenessπ— EU Council (@EUCouncil) February 19, 2024
Feb. 18 Summary of Red Sea ActivitiesBetween 9:30 and 10:45 p.m., Feb. 18, two anti-ship ballistic missiles were launched from Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas of Yemen toward MV Rubymar, a Belize-flagged, UK-owned bulk carrier. One of the missiles struck the… pic.twitter.com/d6Ty7YTwcG— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 19, 2024
Update: Reports are that this ship has sunk"The Houthis drowned a British ship in the Red Sea"The Houthis launched missiles at a British ship, as part of an attempt to impose a "marine siege on Israel". Yemeni rebels reportedly managed to sink the ship - for the first… https://t.co/7kSce2xtLr— Tracy (ππ½πΎ ) (@chigrl) February 19, 2024
π¨ππ§πππ«π§πππ’π¨π§ππ₯ ππππ’π:The ship that was targeted by the Houthis in the Red Sea tonight..#Yemen pic.twitter.com/qFS9lY0inG— Mawtini π΅πΈ (@MawtiniLevent) February 19, 2024
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