Commander of "Aspidus": We received 239 requests for ship protection within a month

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The Commander of the European Union Naval Force "UNAFOR Aspides", Admiral Vassilios Gribaris, considered that commercial navigation in the Red Sea "is still fraught with challenges and fluctuations", in light of the escalation of threats from the Houthi militias, calling on ships to "exercise extreme vigilance."

Gribaris stressed, in an exclusive interview with Al-Arabiya.net/Al-Hadath.net, that “the operation continues to closely monitor developments, and is committed to its defensive mission to protect commercial ships and sailors and ensure freedom of navigation, in accordance with international law.”

He added, “We strongly urge commercial vessels operating in the region to exercise vigilance, conduct appropriate risk assessments, follow the latest maritime security guidelines, and apply established best management practices.”

Moreover, Gribaris revealed a significant increase in requests for protection and support that the mission received from commercial ships following the Houthi escalation beginning last July, as he explained that the operation received 239 requests for support from commercial ships during September 2026 alone.

He also added that the average monthly support requests increased from about 62 requests during the period from February 2024 to July 2025, to about 139 requests per month between August 2025 and September 2026, that is, more than double the average recorded in the previous period. He continued: “The numbers reflect a significant increase in support requests received from the maritime shipping sector, and the increase became more evident after the Houthi militia announced the escalation of its maritime threats.”

While it was stated that the total support requests received by the operation since its launch in February 2024 exceeded 2,760 requests, while more than 800 ships received direct protection and close escort.

Regarding the adequacy of the naval capabilities available for the operation, in light of the statements of foreign policy official Kaya Kallas regarding the need for more than 10 warships, Gribaris said that the security situation and operational requirements for the operation are subject to continuous evaluation.

He also explained that "the need to provide sufficient naval assets and supporting capabilities has been clearly identified since the establishment of the operation," stressing that "the decision to provide additional capabilities ultimately rests with the member states of the European Union."

He added that "ASPEDS seeks to implement its mission using the forces and capabilities provided by the member states contributing to it," but pointed out that the operation, as a military mission, does not provide details regarding the current distribution of forces or the deployment of specific naval assets, for reasons related to operational security. He explained that the operation continues to evaluate its operational requirements and report on them through appropriate channels in the European Union, and that decisions regarding making additional contributions remain the responsibility of member states.

He continued, saying: “Aspedes is committed to its purely defensive mission, and contributing to ensuring freedom of navigation and protecting commercial ships and sailors, within the limits of its capabilities and capabilities, and in accordance with international law.”

Regarding the reports that spoke of the presence of sea mines in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the commander of “Aspidus” confirmed that the operation is aware of these reports and continues to closely monitor the maritime security situation, but he added that “the operation maintains awareness of the maritime situation, and evaluates information relevant to potential threats that may face freedom of navigation and commercial ships, but, for reasons related to operational security, it does not provide details regarding specific capabilities, procedures followed, or potential responses to specific threat scenarios.”

The European Union officially launched Operation Aspids in February 2024, with the aim of contributing to the protection of commercial navigation in the Red Sea, following Houthi attacks on commercial and military ships in the region. The European Union extended the mandate of the operation until February 28, 2027.

These statements came at a time of increasing demands to strengthen European naval capabilities and provide more warships to support escort and protection operations. European Union foreign policy official Kaya Callas said that the bloc called on member states to provide more warships, noting that the mission requires at least 10 ships, and that the Union does not currently have this number, but is working to achieve it.

Houthi attacks on ships disrupted navigation in the region, and prompted international shipping companies to redirect their ships away from the Red Sea, via longer routes around the Cape of Good Hope, which was reflected in transportation and insurance costs and trip durations.

Note that the Bab al-Mandab Strait is a strategic corridor for global trade, as it connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, while the Red Sea forms an essential part of the sea route that connects Asian and European markets via the Suez Canal.