On Monday 19 February, Europe’s foreign ministers approved the launch of EUNAFOR ASPIDES (see EUROPE 13348/6), the European Union’s maritime security operation to preserve freedom of navigation in the context of the crisis in the Red Sea.
Numerous Houthi attacks have targeted international commercial vessels since October 2023 in the Red Sea. According to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi, his country’s revenue from the Suez Canal had “fallen by 40% to 50%” by early 2024. In normal times, according to him, these revenues amount to almost $10 billion a year.
“This mission involves protecting our own ships, but above all it clearly shows that we, as an international community, stand shoulder to shoulder in the event of terrorist attacks against the freedom of the sea lanes”, explained the German minister, Annalena Baerbock, on her arrival at the Foreign Affairs Council, confirming that a German ship would be sent to the area.
As part of its defensive mandate, the operation will provide maritime situational awareness, accompany ships and protect them against possible multi-domain attacks at sea. As announced by EUROPE, the operation will be active along the main maritime lines of communication in the Baab al-Mandab Strait and the Strait of Hormuz, as well as in the international waters of the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf.
The initial term of the operation is one year from launch. It should be fully operational in a few weeks’ time.
The Operation Commander will be Greek Commodore Vasilios Griparis and the Force Commander will be Italian Rear Admiral Stefano Costantino. The operation’s headquarters will be based in Larissa, Greece.
Speaking to the media, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell announced that ASPIDES was the 7th mission to be launched since the start of his mandate. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)