Ahmad 
European Union foreign ministers agreed on Monday to launch the military naval operation “Aspides” to protect shipping from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on platform X: “Europe will guarantee freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, by working with our international partners,” adding that it was “a step towards a stronger European presence at sea to protect our European interests.”
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in a statement on the X platform: “We have just agreed at the EU Foreign Affairs Council to launch the military naval operation (SPIDES), in which Italy will take command of its forces.”
“Italy is on the front lines to protect the interests of commercial ships and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea,” Tajani said, noting that this operation is “an important step towards common European defense.”
The naval mission, called “Aspides” after the ancient Greek word for “shield,” involves sending European warships and airborne early warning systems to the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and surrounding waters.
The Aspides mission ships will only have orders to fire at the militants if attacked, and will not be allowed to fire preemptively, and the operations command is scheduled to be in the Greek city of Larissa.
I welcome today’s decision to launch the EU Naval Force Operation Aspides.
Europe will ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, working alongside our international partners.
Beyond crisis response, it's a step towards a stronger European presence at sea to protect our…
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 19, 2024
#Bruxelles Al CAE abbiamo appena approvato il lancio dell’operazione militare navale #Aspides, di cui 🇮🇹 avrà comando delle forze. Italia in prima linea per proteggere interessi mercantili e libera navigazione nel Mar Rosso. È un importante passo verso difesa comune europea🇪🇺.
— Antonio Tajani (@Antonio_Tajani) February 19, 2024