The European Union Naval Force (Apsides) announced that its military assets have successfully escorted and protected over 300 commercial vessels in its operation area in the Red Sea, west of Yemen, within six months since the launch of its maritime operation. The European Union launched the "Apsides" mission on February 19, 2024, following an escalation of Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The European mission, tasked with safeguarding international shipping routes in the region from Houthi attacks, stated in a message on its account on the "X" platform on Monday, "We have completed six months of operations in the Red Sea." It added, "Since February 19, the European Union naval force in Apsides has faced various challenges, but the unwavering commitment and hard work of its personnel have led to numerous achievements."
In an accompanying video, the mission confirmed that during this period, it responded to requests from over 300 commercial ships for escort and protection while transiting through the Red Sea, where international shipping has been targeted by Houthi forces backed by Iran.
It noted that its warships were able to destroy 17 drones, a drone boat, and 4 ballistic missiles during this time.
Apsides reiterated its commitment to continue executing its missions to maintain maritime security and ensure full compliance with international law regarding the protection of freedom of navigation and the safety of commercial vessels targeted by attacks at sea or from the air.
The European Union initiated its "Apsides" maritime operation in February 2024 following the rise in Houthi attacks on Western commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea and northwestern Indian Ocean. The operation is headquartered in the Greek city of Larissa and consists of vessels and warships from various European countries, with a naval crew from 19 nations, including France, Germany, Italy, Greece, and Belgium.
