Greece Approves Participation in EU Mission

Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis indicated today, Monday, that the country has agreed to participate in a European Union maritime mission in the Red Sea to protect commercial vessels from attacks by the Iranian-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen. The spokesman stated in a release that "the Greek Security Council approved the proposal by Defense Minister Nikos Dendias to participate in the EU mission." The government stated that it is important to join the mission because Houthi attacks have disrupted the activities of Greek commercial vessels at the Port of Piraeus, the largest port in the country, prompting some container ships to cease using it. Many shipping companies have redirected their commercial vessels following Houthi attacks, who control large areas of Yemen and assert that "the attacks are in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza conflict."