Yemeni Attacks Expose the Failure of the European Mission in the Red Sea

The American newspaper Business Insider has revealed that the European “Aspides” mission in the Red Sea is incapable of protecting merchant vessels due to its limited assets and lack of coordination, relying on just one warship per day. Admiral Gribaris, the mission commander, acknowledged that commercial ships which do not request an escort must transit alone at their own risk, with no guarantee of adequate protection.

The report noted that recent Yemeni attacks—such as the strikes on the vessels Magic Seas and Eternity C—have laid bare the weakness of the European force, particularly after the United States suspended offensive operations in May under its ceasefire agreement with Sanaa. It also highlighted a decline in shipping companies’ confidence in the European mission, with some carriers opting to ignore calls for protection.

It concluded that Europe and the United States now find themselves in a bind: Sanaa’s forces have imposed a clear deterrence equation, while the “Aspides” mission remains politically constrained and unable to counter the threats effectively.