Austria involved

EU military mission against Houthi attacks finalized

An oil freighter attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea at the end of January

(Bild: AP)

On Monday in Brussels, the EU foreign ministers formally decided to launch the EU military mission Aspides in the Red Sea against attacks on ships by the Iranian-backed Yemeni Houthi rebels. According to Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP), Austria will participate: "We are currently working on ensuring that we are present with a number of officers. It is very important that this mission exists," he explained before the start of the Council meeting.

Most conflicts today are not regional, but have a global impact. Following the Russian war of aggression, this is now also the case in the Middle East: "The conflict in Gaza has an impact because it affects supply chains. The Houthis believe they have to make a name for themselves by launching missile attacks on ships in the Red Sea," says Schallenberg. It is therefore important that "we show our colors". Schallenberg was unable to provide any details about Austria's involvement on Monday, but "work is in full swing".

Houthi rebels in Yemen

(Bild: Associated Press)

Mission to be purely defensive
On 22 January, the EU foreign ministers reached a political agreement in principle on the launch of an EU military mission to protect shipping in the Red Sea. According to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell, the Aspides mission - the Greek word for shield - will be purely defensive in nature. The mission will only include operations at sea and not on land. Germany intends to participate in the mission with the frigate "Hessen".