German Frigate Repels Houthi Attack In Red Sea

The ship successfully hit two aerial targets.

The German Navy frigate 'Hessen' successfully hit two aerial targets in its first combat clash with Yemeni Houthis on Tuesday, 27 February, repelling their attack in the Red Sea, Deutsche Welle reported.

Earlier on February 24, the German Bundestag gave the Bundeswehr a mandate to participate in the European Union's Aspides ("Shields" in Greek) mission to protect merchant ships from Houthi attacks. The Hessen frigate with 240 servicemen on board moved into the operation area to take part as soon as the official mandate was granted. The new mandate allows the Bundeswehr to involve up to 700 military men in the Aspides mission.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said the mission would be "one of the most dangerous for the Bundeswehr in decades". However, it is needed to "ensure free sea routes" and is "a contribution to the stabilisation of the region", the politician added. In turn, the German Navy reported that it was preparing to repel attacks by missiles, drones and "kamikaze boats".

EU Military Operation

On February 8, it became known that the EU countries agreed on a military operation in the Red Sea. The agreed mission plan involves sending European warships to the Red Sea to protect merchant shipping from attacks by Islamist rebel Houthis from Yemen. Through attacks on merchant ships, the Houthis are trying to force Israel to halt strikes on the Gaza Strip, which began after an unprecedented attack on Israel by the Palestinian Hamas terrorist group on October 7.

Large shipowners are increasingly refusing to use the shortest route between Asia and Europe through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal because of the high risks involved. This creates serious difficulties for world trade, which is why the US and UK have recently been striking targets in Yemen. The EU is unwilling to participate in such strikes.