According to the German Press Agency on February 8, a number of diplomats confirmed on the 8th that 27 EU member states have approved plans to set up a military mission to protect merchant shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks.
The mandate of this military mission includes the deployment of European** and airborne early warning systems to protect cargo ships in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters.
The operational headquarters of the military mission, known as Operation Shield, is based in the Greek city of Larissa.
According to reports, the final formal decision on the deployment of the mission's operations will be taken at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on 19 February.
Last month, the EU reached a political agreement on the establishment of a military mission.
According to the report, since the outbreak of a new round of conflict between Israel and Hamas, Iranian-backed Houthis have repeatedly launched attacks on ships allegedly linked to Israel in the Red Sea, forcing major shipping companies to avoid this Eurasian key route through the Suez Canal. This has a considerable impact on the global economy.
The Houthis said they were attacking the ships in order to force an Israeli ceasefire in Gaza.
In response, the United States, Britain and other Western allies launched airstrikes on several Houthi strongholds in Yemen, adding tensions to already high tensions in the Middle East and increasing the likelihood of a broader regional conflict.
At the moment, the EU is not involved in the planned US attacks on Houthi strongholds in Yemen, the report said.
The Bundeswehr wanted the frigate "Hesse" of the German Navy to take part in this escort operation. The frigate, which was carrying about 250 servicemen, left the Wilhelmshaven naval base on the 8th for the Red Sea. (Compiled by Shen Jian).