(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 19 - Rear Admiral Stefano Costantino has
been appointed as EU Force Commander for the European Union
Aspides naval operation to protect Red Sea shipping from attacks
by Iran-backed Houthi rebels based in Yemen, diplomatic sources
said on Monday.
"In addition to its political role in launching the operation
Italy will also have an important operational role: it will
provide the Force Commander - Rear Admiral Costantino - and the
Force Headquarters, which will be established on board a
destroyer," the sources said.
The Aspides Operational Command will instead be detached to the
European Headquarters in Larissa, Greece, while the Strategic
Command will remain - as for all EU Military Missions and
Operations - in Brussels.
Photo: Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto. (ANSA).