EU Aspides mission receives 2,640 ship protection requests in 2024
The EU's Aspides naval mission has received 2,640 requests for ship protection since launching in 2024, amid ongoing threats in the Bab Al-Mandab.
Key Takeaways
AIThe spokesperson for the European Union's Aspides naval mission said the operation has received 2,640 requests for protection and escort from ships since its launch in 2024, amid ongoing security threats in the Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab Strait.
Speaking to Al Hadath TV, the spokesperson noted that 260 ships have requested escorts since Houthi attacks began in the region, reflecting a growing need to secure maritime navigation.
The spokesperson added that around 130 ships request escorts each month as they pass through the Bab Al-Mandab, one of the world's most critical maritime corridors.
Ongoing threats prompt enhanced protection
The spokesperson stressed that the Aspides mission continues its efforts to protect commercial vessels in the area, as security challenges from attacks on ships persist.
The Aspides mission was launched at the start of 2024 as a joint European effort to bolster maritime security in the Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab.