EU LAUNCHES RED SEA MISSION AS U.S. SHIP IS ATTACKED TWICE
Why in the news?
- The European Union initiated a naval operation named Aspides to safeguard shipping in the Red Sea from Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
- Recent attacks include a Greek-flagged, U.S.-owned cargo ship hit twice in two hours by Houthi projectiles in the Gulf of Aden.
source:dailytimes
About EU launches naval mission:
- EU launches naval mission “Aspides” to protect Red Sea shipping from Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
- Mission initiated due to repeated attacks on a U.S.-owned cargo vessel by the Iran-backed Houthis.
- Houthi attacks disrupted shipping since November, claiming solidarity with Palestinians.
About Houthies
· Houthi movement founded by Hussein and Badr al-Din al-Houthi in 1990s, inspired by Iran and Hezbollah. · Initially social-religious, turned political, opposing Saleh regime’s corruption and support for US. · Insurgency started in 2004, Hussein killed, leading to multiple government offensives, strengthening Houthis by 2010 ceasefire. About Red sea ● Semi-enclosed tropical basin. ● Bounded by northeastern Africa and the Arabian peninsula. ● Extends between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean. ● Northern end splits into Gulf of Aqaba and Gulf of Suez. ● Southern end connects to Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean via Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb. ● Surrounded by desert or semi-desert with no major freshwater inflow. |