Reuters: EU Aims to Launch Defensive Mission for Red Sea

Reuters reports that the EU is planning to send a naval mission to the Red Sea involving some of its member states to protect shipping through the area to the Suez Canal.

According to the report, the mission reflect a lack of desire to be under the command of the current US-led naval mission, codenamed Operation Prosperity Guardian. The countries involved also wish to stick to stopping or intercepting attacks on ships rather than also engaging in offensive actions against the Houthis as the US and UK have done in multiple strikes.

Europe has a particular interest in ensuring that the Red Sea-Suez Canal sea lanes remain open and safe, as a significant portion of Europe-Asia trade runs through this route, and ships being forced to instead circumvent Africa mean longer wait times and increased rates and prices.