The European Union has launched a naval mission called “Operation Aspides” to protect cargo ships in the Red Sea from attacks from Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
Key points
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the decision to deploy Naval Force Operation Aspides.
- The mission will send European warships and airborne early warning systems to the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters.
- Aspides vessels, whose operational command centre will be in the Greek city of Larissa, will have orders to fire on the Houthis only if they attack first and will not be authorised to shoot pre-emptively.
- The rebel group Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea, across which 12 percent of global trade travels.
