The aim of the Aspides mission is to guarantee freedom of navigation for merchant vessels in the Red Sea, in the face of the threat posed by the Yemeni Houthi rebels in the region. Purely defensive in nature, it will remain “proportional to the existing threat” and “will not involve any attack on Yemeni territory”, explained Josep Borell.
Seven countries have so far pledged naval assets, but these will be drawn from the capabilities of existing European missions in the region (Atalanta, Irini, Agénor, etc.).
The new European mission should also be based on Agénor, the joint surveillance operation conducted throughout the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and part of the Arabian Sea as part of the EMASoH (European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz) mission.
Greece is expected to take over overall command of Aspides, to which the EU states initially gave their support last month. The command headquarters would be in the town of Larissa, although Greek leadership of the operation has not been officially announced, Reuters reported on Friday.
The head of European diplomacy hopes to be able to launch the mission by 19 February, the date of the next Foreign Affairs Council.
Around 40% of the EU’s trade with countries in Asia and the Middle East passes through the waters of the Red Sea, making this region strategically vital to the EU. The mission’s focus on maritime safety is in line with the EU’s wider efforts to safeguard economic interests and ensure safe navigation on critical trade routes.
