Greece’s frigate Hydra departed for the Purple Sea on Monday to take part in a mission to guard service provider ships from assaults by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia, a protection ministry official stated.
Earlier on Monday, the Greek authorities accredited the nation’s participation within the European Union naval mission dubbed Eunavfor Aspides within the Purple Sea.
Many business shippers have diverted vessels following assaults by the Houthis who management a lot of Yemen and say they’re appearing in solidarity with the Palestinians as Israel and Hamas wage battle in Gaza.
Greece’s safety council accredited a proposal by Defence Minister Nikos Dendias for participation within the EU mission, authorities spokesman Pavlos Marinakis stated in a press release.
The federal government stated it was essential to affix the mission because the Houthi assaults have disrupted Greek-owned business vessels’ actions on the nation’s largest port Piraeus and a few container ships have stopped utilizing it.
France, Italy and Germany are additionally collaborating within the EU mission, underneath the code identify “Aspides”, the Greek phrase for shields.
Taking part nations might be mandated to guard business ships and intercept assaults, however not participate in strikes towards the Houthis on land.
A number of Greek-owned service provider ships have been hit off Yemen since November, struggling damages however no casualties.
(Reuters – Reporting by Lefteris Papadimas; Enhancing by Angeliki Koutantou, Ed Osmond and Marguerita Choy)
