EU Naval Mission Secures Safe Passage for Commercial Ships in Red Sea - Yemen Online | (original) (raw)

EU Naval Mission Secures Safe Passage for Commercial Ships in Red Sea

• 2026-05-13
• 16:00:57

The European Union’s naval mission tasked with safeguarding international navigation announced Tuesday that it had successfully escorted a batch of commercial vessels through the Red Sea, west of Yemen.

In a statement, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES said the Italian frigate Luigi Rizzo provided support to the ships, ensuring crews and cargo reached their destinations safely.

This marks the vessel’s first operation in May, following two similar missions last month.

The EU force reaffirmed its commitment to “contributing to freedom of navigation and enhancing maritime security across one of the world’s most vital and vulnerable trade routes.”

Launched on February 19, 2024, in response to escalating Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the ASPIDES mission has since provided protection and close support to more than 1,790 merchant vessels as of mid-April.

Its area of operations spans the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb, the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Gulf.