EU raises security threat level for Bab Al-Mandab, Red Sea shipping

The European Union's maritime security mission, Aspides, on Friday raised the security threat level in the Bab Al-Mandab Strait off Yemen and the southern Red Sea from moderate to high, following a Houthi attack on a Saudi tanker earlier this week.

The Aspides mission command in Larissa, Greece, announced an updated security assessment for the area amid ongoing regional conflicts, noting that the security situation has changed significantly and the risk of escalation remains high.

The EU mission maintained the threat level in the northern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden at "moderate."

Aspides said ongoing developments in the region, particularly the expanding conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, have had a significant impact on maritime security.

The mission urged those working in the maritime sector to continue following approved security procedures and to remain in contact with relevant maritime security centers, taking the current threat level into account when planning voyages.

It also recommended completely avoiding Yemeni territorial waters and, where possible, sailing closer to the African coast to reduce the risk of potential attacks.

Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the developments, saying he was "deeply concerned" about the resumption of Houthi attacks. Guterres added that these attacks threaten to further escalate tensions in the region.