The European Union (EU) mission to protect merchant ships from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea will start in mid-February, EU top diplomat Josep Borrell told reporters on Wednesday the 31st of January ahead of an informal meeting of defence ministers in Brussels, noting that decisions on the leadership, headquarters and naval assets to be provided by member states are still pending, reports Politico.
The operation is expected to start on the 19th of February, coinciding with the next Foreign Affairs Council meeting.
Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea have intensified, disrupting cargo shipments between Asia and Europe and starting to affect the economy. The US launched operations already in December, with the participation of European countries such as the United Kingdom and Denmark.
Borrell said the EU’s mission “Aspides”
would focus on protecting ships and intercepting attacks, without engaging in attacks against the Houthis. With France and Italy already having military vessels in the region, Belgium and Germany have also contributed warships to the mission.
He added that while not all EU countries are fully committed to the mission, none of them are posing obstacles.
The lead country for the mission is still to be decided, but France, Italy and Greece are seen as the main candidates.
Also read: US puts Houthis on terrorist list as rebels attack another US ship
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