EU: Appointment of new commander for Aspides forces and joining of Italian frigate to protect navigation in the Red Sea

The European Union mission "Aspedes" announced the appointment of a new commander for its forces, and the addition of an Italian frigate to its fleet at sea, which is tasked with protecting and securing international shipping lanes in the region from attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen.

This came in two separate statements via the X platform, yesterday, Tuesday, monitored by the editor of "Yemeni Youth Net".

"The responsibilities of the commander of the operation force were handed over by Admiral Massimo Bono (Italian nationality) to Rear Admiral Konstantinos Petikaki (Greek nationality)," Aspidis said in a post on the X platform.

She added that this took place "in a ceremony attended by the commander of the European naval operation Aspides, Admiral Vasileios Griparis, and officials from Greece, Italy, Djibouti and the European Union."

In a ceremony attended by the Commander of the European Naval Operation #Aspedes, Admiral Vasileios Griparis, the responsibilities of the Operation Force Commander were handed over by Admiral Massimo Bono to Commodore Konstantinos Petikaki.

The ceremony was attended by officials from Greece, Italy, Djibouti and the European Union.

As the commander of the operation's force,… pic.twitter.com/EKRZ08GZN7

- EUNAVFOR ASPIDES (@EUNAVFORASPIDES) November 5, 2024

“As the force commander of the operation, Admiral Massimo Bono has supported the European Union’s concrete commitment to protecting freedom of navigation, the lives of seafarers and the world’s common wealth,” she continued.

In a separate statement, the mission announced the addition of a new Italian warship to its fleet in the Red Sea, and said in a post on its account on the "X" platform: "We warmly welcome the destroyer ( ITS CAIO DUILIO) Italian and its crew, who will play a crucial role in supporting our mission by contributing to freedom of navigation throughout the region.”

Aspedas stressed that its efforts "contribute to achieving regional prosperity and economic growth by securing vital maritime trade routes."

A warm welcome to ITS CAIO DUILIO 🇮🇹 and her crew, who will play a crucial role in supporting the mission by contributing to freedom of navigation throughout the area of operation.

EUNAVFOR ASPIDES contributes to regional prosperity and economic growth by securing vital maritime… pic.twitter.com/dvxGPaHSta

- EUNAVFOR ASPIDES (@EUNAVFORASPIDES) November 5, 2024

Since February 19, 2024, the Aspides mission has been leading defensive naval operations to secure international shipping traffic from attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters.

Since last November, the Iran-backed Houthi militia has been launching drone and missile attacks on cargo ships sailing in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab and the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Yemen, saying it is in support of Gaza, which has been subjected to a devastating Israeli war since October 7.

These attacks negatively affected shipping, trade and global supply chains, as many companies resorted to longer routes for safety, and also harmed the economies of the Red Sea countries, especially Egypt.