
The European Union (EU) will soon launch a joint naval mission to the Red Sea to prevent Iran-backed Houthi terrorists from continuing to attack merchant ships in the region.
The fleet will contain assets from at least seven European countries, according to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
EU Plans Red Sea Naval Mission to Safeguard Ships from Houthi Attacks
The European Union is set to launch a naval mission in the Red Sea within three weeks to protect cargo ships from attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen, which have disrupted trade and escalated prices. EU foreign… pic.twitter.com/wYW2MSdT0F
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“This is the purpose: protection of the ships,” Borrell said while speaking to reporters in Brussels. “Intercepting of the attacks against the ships. Not participating in any kind of action against the Houthis. Only blocking the attacks of the Houthis.”
Three countries will reportedly lead the EU’s naval mission: Italy, France, and Greece.
“Many European firms asked us to do that because their business model is suffering a lot due to the high increase in cost and having to go down to South Africa,” Borrell said, referring to the alternative routes merchant ships are taking because of the Houthis’ attacks in the Red Sea. “It’s affecting prices, it’s affecting inflation.”
“So, it’s a natural endeavor for us to try to avoid this risk,” he added.
Since November 2023, Houthi terrorists have launched a series of attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea, specifically those linked to Israel. The Houthis have claimed that their attacks are in support of those in Gaza, who have been affected by the Middle East war between Israel and Hamas, a terrorist organization.
The Houthis’ attacks in the Red Sea, which is a vital area for international trade, have caused ships to find alternative routes. It is estimated that 12% of global trade and 30% of global container traffic passes through the region.
Since the Houthis have attacked American vessels, U.S. forces recently shot down 10 drones belonging to the Iran-backed terrorists in Yemen.
Such a decision came after Houthi terrorists fired a cruise missile at the USS Gravely in the Red Sea, which was shot down by the ship’s Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS).
The Houthis are one of several Iranian-backed terrorist groups that carry out Iran’s agenda of eliminating America and Israel.
Other terrorist groups supported by Iran include Hamas in Gaza, Islamic Resistance in Iraq, and Hezbollah in Lebanon.