European military operation in Red Sea will last one year: EU official

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
16 Feb 2024 22:50
3 Shares

Germany approved the Bundeswehr's participation in the mission and has deployed 700 troops until February 2025.

The frigate "Hessen" leaves the port at Wilhelmshaven, Germany, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. (AP)

A senior EU official announced on Friday that the EU mission aimed at controlling shipping in the Red Sea, scheduled to start on February 19, is planned to last for a year, with the possibility of adjustments to the timeline if necessary.

"It is designed to last for a year. However, if necessary, we can certainly reevaluate," the source told reporters in Brussels.

On February 12, the EU formally announced the launch of Operation ASPIDES, aimed at controlling shipping in the Red Sea due to continuous operations on Israeli-linked vessels by the Yemeni resistance. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell confirmed that the mission would commence on February 19.

Borrell said on January 31 that the European Union aimed to establish and launch the maritime mission in the Red Sea no later than February 19, claiming that it would be "defensive" and no operations would be carried out on land. The EU mission, dubbed Aspides, allegedly aims to focus solely on protecting merchant ships by intercepting Yemeni rockets.

The German government reportedly approved the participation of Bundeswehr forces in the operation, German Deputy Government Spokesperson Wolfgang Buchner said, adding that the mandate will involve the deployment of 700 troops and last till February 28, 2025. Germany deployed the frigate Hessen to the Red Sea on February 8 for these purposes.

After the Yemeni Armed Forces vowed to target Israeli and Israeli-bound vessels in the Red and the Arabian seas amid the ongoing aggression on the besieged Gaza Strip, the Pentagon announced the creation of a multinational operation under the pretext of "securing navigation" in the Red Sea.

Under the operation, the US and UK forces recently carried out several aggressions against different locations in Yemen. Later, Sanaa declared that "all American and British interests have become legitimate targets for the Yemeni Armed Forces" in response.

The latest aggression on Yemen occured on February 14th, during which the US-UK coalition carried out a number of 9 attacks in one day. The leader of the Ansar Allah movement said that the US, the UK, and "Israel" are attempting to liquidate and end the Palestinian cause, adding that they have previously reckoned with the actions they are witnessing today in support of the Palestinian people.