EU's Operation Aspides Secures Passage for Over 1,660 Vessels in Red Sea

The European Union's naval mission, Operation Aspides, has announced the successful safeguarding of passage for more than 1,660 commercial vessels navigating the Red Sea, west of Yemen, since its inception.

The announcement was made via a statement released on the X platform, marking 25 months since the operation commenced on February 19, 2024. The primary objective of Aspides is to counter Houthi attacks targeting international shipping lanes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Aspides stated, "Today we complete 25 months since the launch of our mission in the operational area of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden." The mission further detailed, in an accompanying video, that its naval assets have provided close protection and support to over 1,660 commercial ships traversing the Red Sea.

The mission reaffirmed its commitment to "continue contributing to ensuring freedom of navigation and protecting the livelihoods of those who depend on the sea." It emphasized that it operates under a strictly defensive mandate, contributing to regional stability and prosperity by protecting mariners and upholding shared global interests.

Earlier last year, the European Union approved an extension of Operation Aspides for an additional year, until February 28, 2027, to ensure the continuation of freedom of navigation in the critical Red Sea corridor. The EU launched Operation Aspides following the escalation of Houthi attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Bab el-Mandeb strait.