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The frigate “Hessen” leaving for the mission in February
Photo: Sina Schuldt/dpa
The German frigate “Hessen” repelled another attack while deployed to protect merchant ships in the Red Sea. As the Bundeswehr's operational command announced on the online service X, formerly Twitter, the "Hesse" thwarted "an attack against a civilian cargo ship" in the Red Sea in the afternoon. “An incoming missile could be destroyed,” it continued.
The “Hessen” was sent to the region at the end of February as part of the EU naval mission “Aspides” to protect merchant shipping with 240 soldiers on board.
For several months, Yemen's Houthi militia, which is backed by Iran, has been attacking ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, a key international trade route. The USA and Great Britain responded with attacks on Houthi positions in Yemen and want to prevent further attacks on cargo ships.
In addition, warships from two international coalitions are trying to secure shipping traffic along the Yemeni coast.
czl/AFP