[HIGHLIGHTS] Red Sea: what is the “Aspides” mission, the EU’s “protective shield” against Houthi attacks?

EU foreign ministers officially launched a mission to protect maritime traffic in the Red Sea. Under Italian operational command, France, Germany, Greece and Belgium will ensure a surveillance and patrol mission.

Several countries have expressed their intention to participate in this shield, including Belgium, Germany - if it has the green light from its Parliament. The mission is planned to last one year, possibly renewable. It will take “a few weeks”, according to a European diplomat, for the force to be operational.