EU's Aspides Mission Secures Over 120 Ships in Red Sea Transit Last Month

The European Union's naval mission, Aspides, has reported successfully escorting more than 120 commercial vessels through the Bab al-Mandab strait and the Red Sea over the past month, bringing the total number of ships protected since the mission's inception to 2,040.

This announcement was made via a statement released on the X platform, coinciding with the 28-month anniversary of the operation's launch on February 19, 2024. The mission was established to counter Houthi attacks targeting international shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The Aspides mission stated, "Today marks 28 months since the launch of our mission in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden operational area." An accompanying video detailed that its naval assets have provided close support and protection to over 2,040 commercial vessels traversing the region, an increase of 120 ships from the previous month's recorded figure.

The mission reiterated its commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation and safeguarding maritime personnel. It emphasized that its mandate is "fully defensive" and contributes to regional stability and prosperity by ensuring the safety of seafarers and protecting global common goods.

In late February, the European Union announced an extension of Operation Aspides for an additional year, scheduled to conclude on February 28, 2027. This decision comes amid ongoing security threats to international navigation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab.

Operation Aspides was initiated by the European Union on February 19, 2024, following a surge in attacks by Houthi militias on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Bab al-Mandab.