EU launches Red Sea mission as US-owned bulker gets attacked twice
The European Union has launched a naval mission to protect Red Sea shipping after the Houthis continued their attacks on commercial vessels on Monday, targeting a bulk carrier twice within hours.
Maritime security specialists Ambrey said Monday the US-owned and Greek-flagged ship had first called for military assistance, citing a missile attack some 100 nautical miles east of Aden, Yemen, only to report a second incident about two hours later.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also confirmed the incident, with both sources adding that the vessel’s crew were safe and proceeding to the next port of call. The yet unnamed ship reportedly has 23 crewmembers and was taking grain from Punta Alvear in Argentina to Aden.
Earlier on Monday, the Houthi militants claimed an attack on the Belize-flagged Rubymar, a British-registered and Lebanese-operated bulker in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, and said it was at risk of sinking.
These attacks were followed by another two incidents of one vessel being followed by two drones for half an hour in the northern end of the Bab al-Mandeb, while the second one was struck in the same region some 60 nautical miles north of Djibouti, sustaining “superficial damage”.
The Houthi claims of attacks come as the US carried out five strikes in Yemen on Saturday as part of Washington’s military campaign to stop trade disruptions occurring across the Red Sea.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the decision to deploy Naval Force Operation Aspides on X, saying: “Europe will ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, working alongside our international partners.”
The naval mission will send European warships and airborne early warning systems to the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters. So far, France, Germany, Italy and Belgium have joined the initiative.
“For now, it is clear that despite the more offensive posture of the US and UK forces in the region this has done nothing to reduce the frequency of attacks launched by the Houthis,” noted Lars Jensen, CEO of Danish consultancy Vespucci Maritime
What can Ursula or Arsenio do, they don’t have any navy capable of combating this mess. Time for the US to lead the way, again. Truly a complete lack of urgency on these stakeholders.
The EU is made up of countries which have militaries, didn’t you know?
“Time for the US to lead the way, again” ROFL.
“Truly a complete lack of urgency on these stakeholders.” So you are advocating for WWIII. Rather sad.
I agree! They were far too slow to act
“The naval mission will send European warships and airborne early warning systems to the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters. So far, France, Germany, Italy and Belgium have joined the initiative.”
Seems some people can’t read.
Sand men in sandals are laughing, looking at this incompetent pathos witch.
So you want all out war then. Amazing.
The only way to stop this is a punishing reprisal to hammer the Houthis bases and logistics. They will not respond to words or gestures. It might be useful to stop giving the Houthis the oxygen of publicity and continuing to carry news of their claimed successes.
How about getting Israel to stop Genocide? Won’t that make everyone happy including the Houthis ?
How about releasing hostages?
Yes., how about the IDF freeing Palestinians and not holding hospitals hostage.
The world has changed and is starting to realise letting Israel ignore the law wasn’t a good move.
How about getting hamas to surrender
So you want all out war then. Amazing.
What about the root cause? Stealing land and beating people. Oh, and Bibi and his thugs genocide?
What about all massacres committed against Jews by the palestinians before 1948? Forgot the history right?
No, but you have.
🤣🤣 maybe actually learn to read first because apparently you cannot.
ROFL
1930’s style appeasement then.
*shakes head
Not at all.
The EU were far too slow to act!! They should have been there as soon as the Houthi attacks started!
Should’ve helped saudis fighting the houthis, instead of ccrying now
If the ship is ‘Belize flagged’ then how can it be ‘British registered’?
As the flag the ship flies (Belize) is the country it is registered in (Belize)
Is the rest of this report as accurate?
A ship can be registered anywhere and fly a different flag as it is the operator whose says what flag it flies
ROFL
Imagine how we’ve been lied to before the smart phones and social media. About greatest and toughest Western military which can’t do anything against peasants, but only to sit there in the Red Sea with their pants crapped. It’s been months.