The EU Foreign Affairs Council in
Brussels has approved the launch of the new EU Aspides operation
to protect Red Sea shipping from attacks by Houthi rebels in
Yemen, Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Premier Antonio
Tajani said on Monday.
"At the EU Foreign Affairs Council we have just approved the
launch of the military naval operation Aspides, of which Italy
will have command of the forces," said Tajani on X, formerly
Twitter.
"Italy is at the forefront to protect merchant shipping
interests and free navigation in the Red Sea. It is an important
step towards a common European defence," he added.
Aspides will initially last a year and is also open to the
participation of third
countries.
The mission is intended to complement US and UK efforts to stem
attacks from
the Yemen-based Iran-backed rebels on ships in the Red Sea
following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
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