As of: February 19, 2024, 4:12 p.m
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Islamist Houthi militias from Yemen repeatedly attack merchant ships in the Red Sea.
Countermeasures should now follow.
Update from February 19th, 1:21 p.m
.: The EU foreign ministers have approved the naval mission for the Red Sea - meanwhile the militant Islamist Houthis are reporting a new attack in the waters.
A ship suffered “catastrophic” damage, the militia said this morning.
According to Houthi, it is said to be the British-registered ship “Rubymar”.
Meanwhile, the UKMTO, part of the British Navy, announced that a ship had been attacked in the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The crew is safe and the crew has left the ship.
The time of the incident is given as Sunday evening (local time).
EU gives military response to Houthi attacks – Baerbock comments
First report
: Brussels – The foreign ministers of the EU states have decided to start a new military operation to secure merchant shipping in the Middle East.
Several EU diplomats confirmed this to the
dpa
news agency .
The plan for Operation Aspides involves sending European warships to the Red Sea and neighboring sea areas.
These are then intended to protect merchant ships there from attacks by the militant Islamist Houthi militia from Yemen.
The Iranian-allied militia wants to use shelling of ships to force an end to Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, which in turn followed the Hamas massacre in Israel.
Germany wants to take part in the operation with the frigate “Hessen”.
The warship “Hessen” with around 240 soldiers on board was sent from Wilhelmshaven to the Mediterranean on February 8th.
The “Hessen” was last in a port on the Greek island of Crete.
The mandate for the operation is to be decided by the Bundestag this Friday (February 23rd).
Frigate “Hessen” with anti-aircraft missiles in action
The 143 meter long frigate “Hessen” is equipped with anti-aircraft missiles and was specially designed for escort and maritime control.
According to the Bundeswehr, the ship can use its special radar to monitor airspace the size of the entire North Sea.
The weapon systems are capable of engaging targets at a distance of up to 160 kilometers.
Germany also wants to provide staff for the operation's headquarters in Larisa, Greece, as well as helicopters.
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The EU's hope is that shipping companies will again send their merchant ships through the Red Sea without hesitation.
Recently, many people had avoided the shortest sea route between Asia and Europe.
Because an alternative route around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa is much longer, this now has significant implications for companies.
The Bundeswehr frigate “Hessen” is in action in the Red Sea – as part of an EU mission supporting Operation Prosperity Guardian.
© IMAGO (2) / Manfred Segerer / Wirestock
Baerbock praises the use of the frigate “Hessen” against the Houthi militia
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) said of the decision in Brussels: “We have seen that the entire global economy is being hit by the Houthis’ attacks on civilian shipping.” It is not just European ships that are in the Red Sea are repeatedly endangered by Houthi missiles, but it also affects all international shipping.
“That is why it is important for us that we as the European Union make a contribution to protecting civilian shipping in the Red Sea.”
(dpa/frs)