Europe Eyes Wider Red Sea Mission as Key Trade Route Imperiled

The European Union is evaluating an expansion of its Red Sea naval operation, Aspides, as Iran-backed Houthis reportedly prepare to close the Bab el-Mandeb strait. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas suggested that minesweeping capabilities might be added to the mission's mandate to ensure alternative trade routes remain open. This move comes amid concerns that a closure of the Bab el-Mandeb, a vital passage for 10-15% of global maritime trade, would significantly increase shipping costs and journey times.

Commander of Operation Aspides, Rear Admiral Vasileios Gryparis, stated that the mission is struggling to meet the increasing demands from the shipping industry. He emphasized the need for additional ships to cover all incoming requests, underscoring the mounting pressure on maritime security. The operation, launched in February 2024, has already safeguarded hundreds of merchant ships and rescued seafarers, highlighting its crucial role in maintaining freedom of navigation.

Kallas' visit to Djibouti coincided with reports of Iran urging its Houthi proxies to threaten the Bab el-Mandeb closure if the United States attacks Iranian infrastructure. The Houthis' campaign, which began in October 2023, previously caused a significant drop in Red Sea commercial traffic. The potential disruption to the Bab el-Mandeb, following earlier blockades of the Strait of Hormuz, could further destabilize global supply chains and has also been linked to a rise in piracy in the Indian Ocean.