Italy, France and Greece want to lead the new EU mission in the Red Sea to protect European ships from attacks by the Yemeni Houthis. The three countries also seek to host the headquarters of Aspides, the mission proposed by the Union Foreign Service on one of the world's most important sea routes, in which Spain refuses to participate. This Wednesday, in Brussels, the defense ministers of the Member States will decide which partner will lead the delicate mission, in which at least seven countries will participate with personnel and equipment (from ships to aerial surveillance or technical means) and who will work with Guardian Prosperity created by the United States – with which they would share classified information – and with other allies. But it would be independent and only for protection and not for attack. The Houthis, allies of Iran, have assured that they will continue their attacks until Israel ends the offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Brussels proposed to Member States the creation of the new Aspides mission, which will require three frigates, in view of the increasing attacks in the Red Sea on merchant ships carrying goods to the EU, EL PAÍS said. The proposal was put forward shortly before the first attacks by the US and UK against Houthi targets, after Spain rejected that the Atalanta anti-piracy mission it leads would also be concerned with protecting the Red Sea. The EU hopes the mission can begin by mid-February, EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security Josep Borrell said in Brussels.
The head of European diplomacy hopes that countries that are not taking part in the mission will not block it. “Not all member states are willing to participate, but no one will obstruct themselves,” he said. “I expect that; Anyone who doesn't want to take part simply has to resign,” he added upon his arrival for the meeting with EU defense ministers. Borrell has assured that many European companies have called for the creation of Aspides (Protection) because they are affected by the increasing costs caused by the attacks in the Red Sea. “It affects costs, so prices and inflation. For us, it is a natural effort to avoid this risk,” noted Borrell.
France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece and Denmark have shown willingness to contribute material (ships, but also air surveillance and technical means) and personnel for the mission, according to a community source. “What is important is having the means to carry out the mission, not only for launch but also for sustaining Aspides over time,” the source says. The new mission could cost around 5.1 million euros per year and could be modeled on the Agenor mission, led by France in the Strait of Hormuz and headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
At the end of December, Spain rejected the contract to the Atalanta mission, which was launched in 2008 to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia and has only a single ship, the Spanish frigate Victoria. This caused some tensions with Washington. Spain then demanded a European mission. The Spanish Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry disagreed about Spain's participation, but the government of Pedro Sánchez has turned to the defense position, with Minister Margarita Robles at the helm, refusing for the time being to take part in any of the missions. most active in the EU.
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