Italy, France, Greece vying to lead Aspides mission

(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 30 - Italy, France, and Greece are vying to lead the new EU Aspides mission to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks, a senior European official said Tuesday.
    The final choice will be made known at the informal Defence Council in Brussels Wednesday, he said.
    In the meantime, the count of the personnel needed to set up the mission has been completed, with means and men from seven European countries, which will provide the three ships requested by the EU's External Action Service to have the necessary impact in the area.
    In addition to the ships, the seven will reportedly also provide aircraft, said the official.
    Aspides will complement US and UK efforts to stem attacks from the Yemen-based Iran-backed rebels on ships in the Red Sea.
    (ANSA).