EU launches Red Sea mission as U.S. ship attacked twice

The dozens of Houthi attacks have roiled shipping in the Red Sea, forcing some companies to take alternative routes including a two-week detour around the tip of southern Africa.

The European Union launched a naval mission on Monday to protect Red Sea shipping from Yemen's Houthi rebels as a U.S.-owned cargo vessel repeatedly came under fire in the region.

The Iran-backed Houthis, who control much of war-torn Yemen, have been harassing the vital shipping lane since November in a campaign they say is in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war.

The EU aims to have the mission — called Aspides, Greek for "shield" — up and running in a "few weeks" with at least four vessels, an official said on Friday, ahead of Monday's official launch.

"Europe will ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, working alongside our international partners," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

The U.S. is already spearheading its own naval coalition in the area and has conducted retaliatory strikes on the Houthis in Yemen along with Britain.

The dozens of Houthi attacks have roiled shipping in the Red Sea, forcing some companies to take alternative routes including a two-week detour around the tip of southern Africa.

In the latest incident, a Greek-flagged, U.S.-owned cargo ship was attacked twice in two hours in the Gulf of Aden, which adjoins the Red Sea, maritime security firm Ambrey said.