EU foreign ministers OK launch of Aspides operation - Tajani

(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 19 - The EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels has approved the launch of the new EU Aspides operation to protect Red Sea shipping from attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen, Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Premier Antonio Tajani said on Monday.
    "At the EU Foreign Affairs Council we have just approved the launch of the military naval operation Aspides, of which Italy will have command of the forces," said Tajani on X, formerly Twitter.
    "Italy is at the forefront to protect merchant shipping interests and free navigation in the Red Sea. It is an important step towards a common European defence," he added.
    Aspides will initially last a year and is also open to the participation of third countries.
    The mission is intended to complement US and UK efforts to stem attacks from the Yemen-based Iran-backed rebels on ships in the Red Sea following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. (ANSA).