EU foreign policy chief Kallas calls to strengthen Red Sea mission — Jerusalem Post

In the Red Sea near Yemen, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called on EU countries to increase naval support for Operation Aspides amid threats to shipping from Yemen’s Houthis. As The Jerusalem Post reports, the EU is considering deploying additional ships and aircraft to the mission to protect vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait area.

More ships and aircraft

Operation Aspides has been operating in the Red Sea since 2024. It usually involves between three and six ships, but Kallas and other EU officials believe this is insufficient. According to the publication, reports mention a possible increase in the naval presence to more than ten ships.

Kallas said the mission needs properly equipped naval and air assets. According to her, this would make it possible to strengthen the protection of vessels and carry out the operation’s mandate. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is an important route between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, including for energy trade.

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Italy requests reinforcements

The proposal to strengthen the mission came after an appeal by Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto. According to Euronews, cited by the publication, an Italian frigate escorted an Italian merchant vessel off the coast of Yemen. Crosetto said that at that time only two EU countries’ ships were available in the area for escort duties, although the mission should have consisted of six.

EU countries can assume responsibility for individual sections of the sea within Aspides. French and Dutch units are already operating in the area to protect their own merchant fleets. Greece has been entrusted with the strategic command of the operation, while Greece and Italy conduct operational management. The issue of strengthening Aspides is expected to be discussed at a meeting of EU defence authorities on Monday, with another meeting scheduled for October 12.