Operation against Houthi rebels: Pistorius sends frigate “Hessen” into the Red Sea. Operation “Aspides’ is considered the most dangerous purely naval operation in the history of the Bundeswehr.
The primary goal of the mission is to protect merchant ships from attacks by the militant Islamist Houthis from Yemen. The militia wants to force an end to the Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip by shelling ships. Attacks with long-range missiles, remote-controlled kamikaze boats and drones are expected.