Conflicts
Union signals approval of deployment in the Red Sea
It must be clear to all of us that the EU military operation in the Red Sea is very dangerous, said Johann Wadephul (CDU). photo
© Kay Nietfeld/dpa
The frigate “Hessen” has sailed for an EU military operation in the Red Sea to protect merchant ships against attacks by the Houthis. Union parliamentary group vice-president Wadephul welcomes the operation, but also warns.
Union parliamentary group vice-president Johann Wadephul has given his parliamentary group’s approval of the Bundeswehr’s mandate for an EU deployment Red Sea signals. “It is good that Germany will take part in the deployment of our allies and partners in the Red Sea with the frigate Hesse,” said the CDU politician to the editorial network Germany (RND).
“The coming mandate can also count on the approval of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group. Such a mission to protect sea routes serves German interests, and it also serves to maintain international order and the right to free and safe navigation,” said Wadephul.
But he added: “It must be clear to all of us that this operation is very dangerous. The Houthis have a very developed arsenal of weapons to combat ships and have so far shown no scruples in using it.”
The German frigate “Hessen” left on Thursday for a planned EU military operation in the Red Sea to protect merchant shipping there against attacks by the militant Islamist Houthi militia. The warship with around 240 soldiers on board left the German Navy’s largest base in Wilhelmshaven on Thursday. Marine Inspector Jan Christian Kaack said in Berlin: “This is the most serious deployment of a German naval unit in many decades.” A mandate from the Bundestag is still pending – it was expected during February.