EU may join Saudi-led naval coalition as observer

The European Union is moving toward playing a role in the Saudi-led multinational defensive naval coalition, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kalas indicating the bloc may join as an observer. The coalition aims to protect navigation, trade routes, and energy supplies in the region.

Kalas also called for strengthening the Aspides mission with naval vessels to escort commercial ships in the Red Sea, citing a rise in requests for protection and emphasizing that support for the mission is now more crucial than ever.

Saudi Arabia leads the multinational defensive naval coalition, which was established to safeguard international shipping, trade routes, and energy supplies from escalating threats in the Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandab Strait, and Gulf of Aden.

The EU's moves come amid developments in the Bab Al-Mandab area and calls to provide naval escorts for commercial vessels and strengthen the Aspides mission.