Greece agrees to participate and command EU maritime security operations
One frigate dispatched… No participation in US-led attack
Buddhism decides to provide warships for mission
The European Union (EU) is launching a maritime security operation in the Red Sea to protect merchant ships from Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
According to AP on the 26th (local time), Greece officially agreed to participate in and command EU maritime security operations in the Red Sea to protect merchant ships from Houthi rebel attacks.
The Security Council, led by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, ordered the dispatch of a Greek frigate. Late this afternoon, the ship sailed for her mission. The mission is led by a Greek Navy Commodore from a military base in Larisa, central Greece.
This operation was named ‘Aspides’, which comes from the Greek word for shield. The operation first began last week.
The Greek side explained that the mission was of a defensive nature. At the same time, he added that he would not participate in U.S.-led attacks against Houthi rebel military targets.
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said on the day, “Everyone understands that participating in this operation carries significant risks,” and added, “Greece is a maritime power that plays a leading role in global shipping, and as such, it not only protects freedom of navigation but also protects Greek sailors. “We consider the need to protect the lives of people very important,” he emphasized.
Germany, Italy and France have also agreed to provide warships for the mission, according to Greek officials. Italy decided to assume tactical command of this mission.
Greece, a major commercial shipping power, has been directly affected by the Houthi attacks. The Port of Piraeus, which absorbs the logistics of the capital Athens, reported a 12.7% annual decline in activity at its container terminal last month.
The EU believes the Houthis have targeted ships in the Red Sea, one of the world’s busiest waterways, to support Palestinians. It is said that the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels carried out this action in response to Israel’s bombing of the Gaza Strip in Palestine.
Because the Houthi rebels have been attacking commercial ships, ships are crossing the sea by taking detours and taking inefficient routes that are different from the past.
Since December of last year, the United States has been carrying out a joint operation called ‘Operation Guardian of Prosperity’ to prevent increasing attacks by Houthi rebels and protect merchant ships in the Red Sea.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.