EU Members Discuss Maritime Protection in the Red Sea

Germany, along with its EU partners, is considering forming a new maritime coalition to protect commercial ships in the Red Sea. A spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry stated on Thursday, January 7, "The German government is ready for this. It is important that we act as quickly as possible as the European Union, given the ongoing attacks in the Red Sea." The Iran-backed Houthis have attempted to disrupt global trade with missile and drone attacks on commercial ships in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea following the war in Gaza, in support of the Hamas militant group. Hamas has killed at least 1,200 people in rocket attacks and incursions into southern Israel and has taken 240 hostages, including children, women, and the elderly. In response, Israel has launched air, sea, and ground attacks on Gaza aimed at eradicating Hamas. The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. Adrienne Watson, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, stated on Friday, January 1, "We know that the Islamic Republic has been heavily involved in planning attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. This aligns with the Islamic Republic's long-term material support and encouragement of the destabilizing actions of the Houthis in the region." She added, "This is an international challenge that requires collective action." In response to the Houthi attacks, the United States is leading a new maritime coalition called "Operation Guardian of Prosperity." Although more than twenty countries have joined this coalition, some of Washington's allies are reportedly reluctant to participate. The German Foreign Ministry spokesperson mentioned that Germany is considering potential participation in the U.S.-led maritime coalition. He added that discussions are ongoing in Brussels regarding the extension of the EU's anti-piracy mission known as "Atalanta" aimed at protecting ships in the Red Sea, but no decision has been made yet. The UK, Greece, the Netherlands, and Denmark have previously announced their intention to join the U.S.-led maritime coalition in the Red Sea. The Netherlands and Norway have stated that they will send several naval officers to participate in the U.S.-led maritime coalition at the headquarters of the "Combined Maritime Forces," a multinational maritime partnership led by the U.S. based at the U.S. Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain. Denmark also announced on Wednesday that it would participate in this operation. On the other hand, the French Ministry of Defense stated that it supports efforts to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and surrounding areas and mentioned that it has previously operated in the region, but emphasized that its ships will remain under French command. The Italian Ministry of Defense also stated that in response to requests from Italian ship owners and to "preserve national interests," it will send the frigate "Virginio Fasan" to the Red Sea. However, Spain has stated that it will only participate in NATO missions or operations coordinated by the EU. The Spanish Ministry of Defense's statement reads: "We will not unilaterally participate in Red Sea operations." The UK shot down an attack drone in the skies over the Red Sea. Houthi missile attacks in the Red Sea set a Liberian-flagged ship on fire. Verification: Does the U.S. have the right to defend itself and others against Houthi attacks in the Red Sea? The U.S. is seeking to provide more support for commercial ships in the Red Sea. The U.S. has sanctioned a financing network for the Houthis in Yemen. The White House National Security Advisor stated that the Islamic Republic has enabled attacks on ships in the Red Sea. The Pentagon reported that a U.S. warship and several commercial vessels were attacked in the Red Sea.