EU launches military operation against Houthi militias in the Red Sea

The formal decision is still missing, but de facto the EU military operation in the Red Sea has started. Germany is also taking part; the frigate “Hessen” is already on its way. It is intended to protect merchant ships from Houthi attacks.

According to diplomats, the EU states have decided on the planned military operation in the Red Sea. The European warships are intended to protect cargo ships from attacks by the Islamist Houthi militias from Yemen. One of these warships is the Bundeswehr frigate “Hessen”. She has already set sail from Wilhelmshaven – with around 240 soldiers on board.

The naval inspector, Jan Christian Kaack, pointed out the dangers of the operation in Berlin: It was “the most serious operation by a German naval unit in many decades.” “The entire spectrum of direct and indirect attacks” can be expected – i.e. from long-range ballistic missiles to small drones. “There is no unit in the German Navy that is better prepared, better trained and better equipped,” Kaack continued.

The frigate “Hessen” is equipped, among other things, with anti-aircraft missiles. The 143 meter long ship was specially designed for escort and maritime control. According to the Bundeswehr, its radar can monitor airspace the size of the entire North Sea. The anti-aircraft missiles therefore range more than 160 kilometers. In addition to the regular crew and two helicopters, there are also other emergency services on board, including a team of doctors and a military chaplain.

Merchant ships avoid the route because of the attacks

The Houthi militias repeatedly attack ships in the Red Sea that they believe have a connection to Israel. They want to show solidarity with the terrorist militia Hamas in the Gaza Strip and force an end to the Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip. The Gaza war was triggered by a massacre by the Islamist Hamas and other extremist Palestinian groups in Israel on October 7th.

The shortest route for merchant ships on their way from Asia to Europe runs through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Many ships are already avoiding the Red Sea because of the Houthi attacks and choosing the route via the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa, which extends the journey time by up to two weeks – with corresponding consequences for costs, supply chains and the global economy.

Defense, but no attacks on land

The USA and Great Britain have recently attacked Houthi targets in Yemen. The EU’s commitment should not go that far. The European warships should be able to repel Houthi attacks at sea, but not attack Houthi targets on land.

In addition to Germany, France, Italy and Greece, among others, also want to take part in the EU mission called “Aspides”. The operational headquarters of the operation will be established in the Greek city of Larissa.

However, the decision for an EU mission called “Aspides” still has to be formally made at a meeting of foreign ministers on February 19th in Brussels. The deployment of the “Hesse” must then be formally decided by the federal government and then mandated by the Bundestag. This is expected by the end of the month.

With information from Matthias Reiche, ARD Brussels