On Monday, EU foreign ministers formally decided to launch the EU military mission Aspides in the Red Sea against attacks on ships by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backed by Iran. According to Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP), Austria will participate: “We are currently working to ensure that some officers are present. It is very important that this mission exists,” he said before the start of the Council meeting.
Most of today’s conflicts are not regional, but have global consequences. This is now also the case in the Middle East after the Russian war of aggression: “The conflict in Gaza has an impact because it affects supply chains. “The Houthis believe they must make a name for themselves by launching missile attacks on ships in the Red Sea,” Schallenberg said. It is therefore important that “we show our colors”. Schallenberg could not provide details on Monday about Austria’s participation, but “the work is in full swing.”
The mission must be purely defensive
On January 22, EU foreign ministers reached a political agreement in principle on the launch of an EU military mission to protect shipping in the Red Sea. According to Josep Borrell, EU foreign policy chief, the Aspides mission – the Greek word for shield – will be purely defensive. The mission should only include operations at sea, but not on land. Germany wants to participate in the operation with the frigate “Hesse”.
Source: Krone
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