Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Informed source to Al Mayadeen: SDF Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi demands that al-Sharaa approve the establishment of an autonomous region similar to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Israeli media: Three drones launched from Yemen toward Eilat in span of 20 minutes.
Qatari Foreign Ministry: "Israel" should have already ceased fire under Trump plan for Gaza
Qatari Foreign Ministry: Release of Israeli captives will mark end of war in Gaza in accordance with Trump plan.
Israeli media: Security incident in Gaza Strip classified as serious results in six wounded soldiers so far, two critically injured.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strike targets vehicle in Deir Ames, Tyre governorate.
Lebanese Ministry of Health: Final toll from airstrike on car in Zebdine, Nabatieh District: Two martyrs, four injured
Egyptian media: Indirect talks between Hamas and Israelis begin in Sharm el-Sheikh.
AFP: France's new PM Sebastein Lecornu resigns just hours after unveiling cabinet.
Trump: Technical teams will meet again on Monday in Egypt to discuss and clarify the final details, and the first phase is scheduled to be completed this week

Germany's 'Hessen' frigate joins EU mission to Red Sea for 'safe sea'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 25 Feb 2024 13:36
3 Min Read

Equipped with anti-aircraft missiles, the 469-foot-long warship has a radar reconnaissance system with the ability to track 1,000 targets and attack helicopters at the same time.

  • x
  • German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius speaks at the Munich Security Conference at the Bayerischer Hof Hotel in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. (AP)
    German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius speaks at the Munich Security Conference at the Bayerischer Hof Hotel in Munich, Germany, on Saturday, February 17, 2024. (AP)

The German Defense Ministry announced on Sunday that the German frigate Hessen will join the European Union's naval mission under the pretext of 'securing navigation' in the Red Sea amid targetting by the Yemeni Armed Forces in support of Gaza. 

"The frigate Hessen has arrived in the Red Sea. Its mission [to ensure] safe sea lanes begins," the ministry stated on X.

Mit #EUNAVFOR #Aspides schützt Deutschland gemeinsam mit unseren Partnern die Freiheit der Seewege. Minister #Pistorius ist stolz auf die Besatzung der Fregatte Hessen👇 https://t.co/WMafbJsxQ1 pic.twitter.com/mesxgwVaIJ

— Verteidigungsministerium (@BMVg_Bundeswehr) February 23, 2024

Earlier this month, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius revealed plans to deploy a crew of 240 soldiers for participation, adding that the frigate carries two Sea Lynx helicopters, a medical team, marines, and a chaplain.

Read next: EU facing credibility crisis amid waning influence in West Asia

Related News

17 wounded in Hamburg stabbing, suspect in custody

Iran recalls German ambassador over mosque closure, cites Islamophobia

Equipped with anti-aircraft missiles, the 469-foot-long warship has a radar reconnaissance system with the ability to track 1,000 targets and attack helicopters at the same time.

The ministry noted that Hessen is specifically designed for surveillance and is capable of monitoring air space with an area the size of the North Sea, as its anti-aircraft missiles can reach targets over 99 miles away.

How 'defensive' can it be?

It is predicted that the frigate will remain in the Red Sea until the end of April, according to the ministry's website, while in the second half of the year, the Hamburg frigate will be deployed.

In late January, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the European Union's security mission in the Red Sea will be "defensive" and will not involve attacks on Yemeni territory.

EU foreign policy chief Josep 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. 

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

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 establishment of a multinational operation under the pretext of "securing navigation" in the Red Sea.

  • Hamburg
  • Hessen
  • Germany
  • Yemen
  • Red Sea
  • Annalena Baerbock
  • Josep Borrell
  • European Union
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

  • West Asia
  • 30 Sep 2025
Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
ap

'Israel' pays influencers $7K per post to whitewash Gaza genocide

  • Politics
  • 1 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Hezbollah's representative in Iran, Sayyed Abdullah Safieddine, during an interview with Al Mayadeen which aired on October 6, 2025 (Al Mayadeen)
Politics

Tehran never interferes in Hezbollah decisions: Representative in Iran

Smoke billows over the Gaza Strip following an Israeli bombardment, as seen from southern Palestine, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Indirect talks for a ceasefire in Gaza begin in Sharm El-Sheikh

Fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) prepare to attend a military parad in Qamishli, northeastern Syria, Tuesday, August 12, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Security forces seal Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh districts

Amsterdam Captain Mohammed Ali Mohiuddin, who took part in the Global Sumud mission to Gaza, talks to Al Mayadeen on October 6, 2025 (Screengrab)
Politics

GSF captain says despite abuse, 'Israel weaker than spider's web'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS