Barran Press
The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation Aspides announced Monday the successful completion of a close protection mission for a commercial vessel transiting the Red Sea. This marks the second such successful operation for the EU task force since the beginning of June.
In a brief statement obtained by Baran Press, Aspides confirmed that the Hellenic Ship (HS) PSARA, a Greek frigate, "successfully completed a close protection mission for a merchant ship within the operational area, as part of the European naval deployment."
The statement underscored that the "European Task Force has a purely defensive mission and contributes to regional stability and prosperity by ensuring the safety of seafarers and protecting global public goods."
This latest success follows a similar report on June 3, when Aspides announced that the Italian destroyer "Andrea Doria" had also "successfully completed a close protection mission for commercial vessels in the operational area under the supervision of the EUNAVFOR Aspides."
Operation Aspides was initiated on February 19, 2024, in response to the escalating wave of Houthi attacks targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the northwestern Indian Ocean.
The operation, headquartered in Larissa, Greece, fields a naval fleet composed of warships and frigates staffed by naval personnel from 21 European nations. Its mandate is strictly defensive, allowing for engagement solely for the purpose of defending commercial vessels or in self-defense.