Panama-flagged oil tanker hit by missile, EU to launch mission to protect vessels in Red Sea

The Aspides mission will consist of at least four warships. Germany, France, Italy and Belgium have so far announced plans to contribute ships to the unit.

EU to launch mission to protect ships passing through the Red Sea. (Source: GBC News)

On February 16, a Panama-flagged ship was attacked while off the coast of the Red Sea.

A US State Department spokesman said a missile fired from Yemen “hit the side of the Indian-owned crude oil tanker MT Pollux, flying the Panama flag.”

Meanwhile, security firm Ambrey confirmed “minor damage” to the vessel after it was hit by a missile off the northwest coast of the Yemeni city of Mokha. The vessel has since resumed its journey.

The UK's maritime trade campaign agency said the military responded and “the crew and vessel are safe”.

Meanwhile, European Union (EU) foreign ministers are expected to meet on February 19 in Brussels (Belgium) to officially launch a naval mission to protect international ships passing through this area.

The plan was made in the context of the Houthis carrying out a series of attacks on ships in this important shipping route since November 2023.

The Aspides mission will consist of at least four warships. Germany, France, Italy and Belgium have so far announced plans to contribute ships to the mission.

The overall command of the mission is Greece, while the control operations on the ground will be undertaken by Italy.

The EU said the mission would have an initial duration of one year, with a mandate limited to protecting civilian shipping in the Red Sea and would not carry out attacks “into Yemeni territory”.

Earlier, US and British forces carried out airstrikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen in response to attacks by the group in the Red Sea. An EU official said it would coordinate actions with the US and other forces in the region to ensure the safety of shipping.

The 27-nation EU has struggled to agree on a Red Sea mission amid concerns that Houthi attacks could hit economies in the bloc and push up inflation.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tau-cho-dau-treo-co-panama-trung-ten-lua-eu-se-khoi-dong-phai-bo-bao-ve-phuong-tien-qua-bien-do-261133.html