Threats by Yemen’s Houthis persist in the Red

Threats by Yemen’s Houthis against merchant vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden remain persistent, the commander overseeing EU’s Operation Aspides stressed that the mission continues to be defensive in nature to protect the vital shipping routes.

“The area has seen multiple attacks in the past months, from one-way drones, saturation attempts, complex attacks including shore-, air- and sea-based assets, drones, and ballistic missiles,” Rear Admiral Vasileios Gryparis said in an exclusive interview.

“From the launch of the Operation Aspides on February 19, 2024 until now, the threat level remains the same,” he said.

The EU’s Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation Aspides is a defensive maritime security mission that was launched earlier this year in response to drone and missile attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis on commercial, merchant and military ships in the Red Sea since last November.

Threats by Yemen’s Houthis against merchant vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden remain persistent, the commander overseeing EU’s Operation Aspides told Al Arabiya English, stressing that the mission continues to be defensive in nature to protect the vital shipping routes.

“The area has seen multiple attacks in the past months, from one-way drones, saturation attempts, complex attacks including shore-, air- and sea-based assets, drones, and ballistic missiles,” Rear Admiral Vasileios Gryparis said in an exclusive interview.

Aspides has engaged and deterred several Houthi attacks since its deployment to the volatile area, Gryparis said. (Supplied)

“From the launch of the Operation Aspides on February 19, 2024 until now, the threat level remains the same,” he said.

The EU’s Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation Aspides is a defensive maritime security mission that was launched earlier this year in response to drone and missile attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis on commercial, merchant and military ships in the Red Sea since last November.

Aspides has engaged and deterred several Houthi attacks since its deployment to the volatile area, Gryparis said.

With a one-year mandate, the mission’s headquarters is based in Greece and has 19 EU nations contributing to it with four naval frigates deployed and over 800 personnel at sea.

Anti-ship ballistic missiles were utilized by the Houthis for the first time in modern history, according to US officials.

Gryparis explained that the mission had been able to protect 100 percent of all requests made by shipping companies to the Maritime Security Center, which acts as the clearing house.