European Union (EU) will start discussions on launching its own military mission in the Red Sea this week in response to the fresh Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Gaza Strip.
This comes after Yemeni rebels (Houthis) declared that they would attack Israeli territory and would not allow any ships affiliated with it to pass through the waters of the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait until the operation in the Palestinian enclave is halted.
“The high representative said that he indeed intends to propose the creation of a EU specific military mission in the Red Sea,” EU foreign policy spokesman Peter Stano, said. adding that EU countries will begin discussing the mission later this week.
He added that although most EU countries have refused to participate in a US-led operation in the Red Sea, launching such a mission would require a unanimous decision in the EU Council.
The US Central Command estimates that the Houthis have attacked over 20 ships and civilian vessels in the Red Sea since mid-November.
In response to the movement’s actions, US officials will form an international coalition and the preparation of “Operation Prosperity Guardian” to ensure freedom of navigation and protection of ships in the Red Sea.
The operation will include Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, Spain and the United Kingdom.
