On January 22, EU foreign ministers will discuss the EU’s possible participation in the US initiative to secure merchant shipping in the Red Sea. These had recently been repeatedly attacked by Houthi rebels (photo) in Yemen.
According to diplomats, the EU’s foreign service has drawn up initial proposals for the launch of a new joint European military operation. For example, they ensure the deployment of warships and early warning systems from the air to the conflict area. The latter could, for example, be reconnaissance aircraft.
Formal decision in February
It was unclear on Friday whether a fundamental political decision on the deployment could be taken during the meeting of foreign ministers. According to EU diplomats, further preliminary talks are planned for next week. The formal decision to launch the military operation could then be taken at the meeting of EU foreign ministers in February.
Operation ‘Prosperity Guardian’, launched by the US, aims to significantly increase the international military presence in the Red Sea and prevent attacks on ships. Due to the actions of the Houthi, the US Navy and Britain attacked the group’s positions on Friday evening with the support of the Netherlands, Canada, Australia and Bahrain – krone.at reports.
Houthis threaten ‘punishment or retaliation’
Despite attacks on their military positions, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have announced further attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea and threatened retaliation. The military attack will not come without “punishment or retaliation,” a spokesman for the Iran-allied militia said on Friday. Now concerns are growing about a forest fire across the region.
Rebels attack merchant ships
Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have been attacking merchant ships with alleged Israeli connections in the Red Sea with drones and missiles since the war between Israel and the terrorist militia Hamas began on October 7. Some major shipping companies have therefore changed their routes, which causes delays. The alternative route around the Cape of Good Hope extends transport by a few days and also makes it more expensive.
The Houthi rebels in Yemen and Hezbollah belong to the so-called ‘Axis of Resistance’ against Israel. It also includes other Iranian-backed militias. The aim is the fight against Israel, which has been declared Iran’s arch enemy since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
Source: Krone
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