Callas: The Aspids mission in the Red Sea requires 10 ships

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In light of the increasing threats facing shipping traffic due to the escalation by the Houthi group, the European Union is working to strengthen the capabilities of its naval mission “ASPEDS” in the Red Sea, by pushing for the provision of more warships to accompany commercial ships.

European Union foreign policy official Kaya Kallas explained that the mission requires at least 10 ships to carry out its tasks, but she acknowledged that the European Union “does not currently have that number,” saying: “But we have not reached that.”

In addition, last month, the European Union raised the alert level of its maritime mission, after the Houthi militia escalated and took control of parts of the western coast overlooking the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

It is noteworthy that the European Union launched the "ASPEDS" mission in 2024 to protect commercial navigation in the Red Sea, against the backdrop of previous attacks launched by the Houthis on ships in the region.

The "ASPEDS" mission previously revealed that 260 ships requested protection and escort since the start of the Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, at a time when the European mission continues to monitor security developments in Bab al-Mandab and the surrounding area.

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

It is noteworthy that the Houthi attacks led to disruption of navigation in the region, and prompted a number of international shipping companies to redirect their ships away from the Red Sea, on longer routes around the Cape of Good Hope, which had an impact on transportation and insurance costs and trip durations.