The commander of the European Union Naval Force in the Red Sea, Vasileios Gryparis, announced yesterday that the EU’s deployed force, under the mission named “Asphides,” needs to be more than doubled due to the escalating attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi forces in the region. In an interview with Bloomberg News, Gryparis stated, “We do not have enough assets, and the entire area we need to cover is vast, so I am pressing all member states to provide more assets.” Gryparis recently visited Brussels to continue pushing for additional resources, explaining that the “Asphides” mission has a defensive mandate, and any increase in its patrolling fleet in the Red Sea will enhance its geographical scope.
Since February, four EU ships have been patrolling the waters off the coast of Yemen. Gryparis mentioned that these ships have provided “close assistance” to 164 vessels, shot down more than 12 drones, and destroyed 4 anti-ship missiles.
