Red Sea, EU naval operation Aspides on starting blocks. “Strategic command” in Greece, operations lead to Italy

Brussels – On Monday, 19 February, EU foreign ministers will officially launch the bloc’s naval mission to deal with Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The confirmation comes from a senior EU official: having dissolved reservations about the countries commanding the operation, the headquarters will be in Greece, and Italy will be in charge of operations. But several points still seem to be being worked out. In just five weeks of work, the EU is now ready to do its part to defend freedom of navigation and trade in one of the world’s most strategic routes: before the crisis, 12 per cent of global trade transited through the Suez Canal. A “rather risky” operation, EU sources admit, because—compared to previous missions against Somali pirates—Yemeni rebels “are much more capable militarily.” The planned duration is one year, the estimated time for “the objective to be achieved.” But it will be possible to extend it upon a decision of the EU Council. Three ships would be ready, although the EU “hopes to have four ships operational” by Monday. In the area, the sources explained, there are already assets from seven member countries—France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Denmark and Greece. However, this does not mean that everyone will actively participate in the operation. What has been established is that the headquarters of Aspides (the name of the operation, from the Greek word for “shield”) will be in Greece, while the head of operations will be taken over by an Italian frigate. To which the French contingent will serve as “deputy.”

Greece, France and Italy are the three countries that, from the beginning, have given their willingness to participate. The Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, said this morning that the mission “will also see the participation of the German and the French air force” and that contacts are being made to “gather more members”: Romania, and a request for participation would also have been received from Albania.

It is unclear in what form, whether with men, ships, or aircraft. But the number of naval assets will “also depend on the type of ships that member states will deploy,” the source explained, stressing that the EU is also asking for “aircraft.” The source admitted that the European External Action Service (EEAS) “does not yet have a complete overview” and that, although the launch will be as early as Monday, it hopes to be “fully operational in a few weeks.”

The range of Aspides, which was hastily created with assets already deployed for the previous Agenor mission, will go from the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to the westernmost part of the Indian Ocean. The EU has activated diplomatic channels with Djibouti to “have access” to the country for logistical support on the ground. While many concrete points still seem vague, the mission’s principle is firm: it will be an exclusively defensive mission and “there will be no direct attacks on Yemeni territory.” Which should mean, for example, that the EU contingent will not have the authority to shoot down Houthi land bases from which any attacks will depart.