BERLIN: German sent a navy frigate for the Red Sea on Thursday to protect commercial ships from attacks by Yemeni Houthis, as part of a planned European Union mission.
Navy chief Jan Christian Kaack told reporters in Berlin that the e deployment is the most serious engagement of a unit of the German navy in many decades.
Yemen’s Houthis have launched a series of attacks on vessels crossing the Red Sea since November, saying their campaign was in solidarity with Palestinians fighting war in Gaza.
The Red Sea carries about 12 percent of international maritime trade.
The unrest has forced some shipping companies to reroute their ships away from the Red Sea and take a longer and costlier route around the tip of Africa.
Kaack said the “Hesse” frigate set off from the German port of Wilhelmshaven with a crew of around 240 people.
Frigate to respond attacks
He added it will be able to respond to attacks including missiles, drones and remotely controlled kamikaze boats.
However, the frigate’s mission still needs to be confirmed by the German parliament and the European Union.
The EU is currently considering a naval mission to enhance security for merchant ships in the Red Sea.
A decision in this regard could be announced before the next meeting of EU top diplomats on February 19.
Nations including Italy, France and Belgium have already shown interest in joining the mission.
US and British forces meanwhile in recent weeks have conducted joint strikes aimed at reducing the Houthis’ ability to target vessels.
