European Union mission in the Red Sea repels 11 Houthi rebel attacks

This Monday, April 8, the European Union provides an initial assessment of the action of its naval mission in the Red Sea. The Aspides mission, which aims to contribute to the restoration of freedom of maritime movement, was set up following Houthi attacks on merchant ships. Because of the latter, navigation time has increased from 10 to 14 days and costs twice as much and insurance has increased by 60%.

This photo provided by the Indian Navy shows the US ship Genco Picardy which was attacked on January 17, 2024 by a bomb-carrying drone launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Gulf of Aden. © Indian Navy via AP

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With our correspondent in Brussels

,

Pierre Bénazet

The Suez Canal now sees only half the number of ships that once transited between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean in both directions. The European naval mission therefore has the mandate to strengthen maritime security, to escort ships and to defend them in the event of attack. 

Since the start of this Aspides mission - "shields" in ancient Greek - at the end of February, the four European frigates assigned to it have had to repel eleven attacks on a total of 68 ships having requested escort. During these attacks, nine aerial drones, a maritime drone and four ballistic missiles were intercepted, said Rear Admiral Gryparis.

Read alsoRed Sea: fifteen drones fired by the Houthis shot down by American and allied forces

“

The figures show how necessary this mission was

,” explains

Josep Borrell

, head of European diplomacy. 

And at the same time his level of commitment. We're not talking about a game! They are repelling attacks, live fire! They must shoot down missiles that are aimed at the ships they are escorting. We are fully aware that this is a mission that carries a certain level of risk. We need to increase our capacity

. »

Aspides is “

clear proof of our willingness and ability to strengthen international security and protect maritime routes and goods

,” added Mr. Borrell.

The mandate of the Aspides mission is exclusively defensive and the European Union wants to strengthen it because it does not see a foreseeable reduction in the threat posed by

the Houthis

. Attacks on commercial ships escorted by European warships have ranged from intimidation to the launching of aerial and maritime drones and ballistic missiles.

Read alsoRed Sea: a Liberian container ship targeted off the coast of Yemen

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