"EU Set to Launch Red Sea Naval Mission to Protect Ships from Houthi Attacks"

The European Union is set to launch a naval mission, Aspides, on February 19 to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea from missile attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen. The mission aims to act in a purely defensive mode to safeguard merchant vessels in response to the deteriorating maritime security in the region. The attacks have disrupted global trade and raised concerns about inflation, prompting five EU member states to commit to the mission. Details such as military personnel, leadership, and headquarters are yet to be finalized, with France, Greece, and Italy vying for the leadership role. The mission will strictly focus on protecting ships and intercepting incoming missiles, without conducting any operations on land, and will coordinate with other missions in the region.