Greece Leads EU Naval Mission in the Red Sea to Protect Shipping

The mission, named Aspides, aims to safeguard commercial vessels from Houthi militant attacks, with Greece taking a significant role in its leadership and execution.

Greece has formally agreed to lead a European Union maritime security operation, Aspides, in the Red Sea to protect commercial shipping from Houthi militant attacks.
The operation is run from a military base in Larissa, Greece, under the command of Greek navy Commodore Vasilios Griparis, with participation from Germany, Italy, and France.
The port of Piraeus in Greece reported a 12.7% drop in activity at its container terminal in January, highlighting the direct impact of Houthi attacks on Greek commercial interests.
Defense Minister Nikos Dendias emphasized the mission's defensive nature and Greece's commitment to safeguarding maritime trade without engaging in U.S.-led attacks against Houthi military targets in Yemen.
The Iranian-backed Houthis claim their attacks on commercial ships are a response to Israel’s offensive in Gaza against Hamas, which began in October.