Aspides: an act of European cooperation

Translated by Giulia Maffeis

Monday, February 19, 2024, Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto announced the European decision and Italy's willingness to join the ASPIDES mission. On the same day, the European Commission launched a defensive mission in the Red Sea to protect the interests of member countries from Houthi attacks.

Unrest in the Red Sea

The Houthi is a Muslim political and military group that originated in Yemen in 1992. With funding from Iran, they gained control of the Red Sea coasts, particularly the Bab al-Mandab strait between the coasts of Yemen and Djibouti. This strait is a passage for about 12% of global maritime traffic. Since the conflicts between Israel and Hamas began, the Houthi aligned with Palestinians against Israel, attacking several ships heading towards the enemy. This disrupted maritime traffic, forcing vessels to circumnavigate Africa, significantly extending travel times. Initially targeting shipments to Israel, their actions later affected not only local but also international trade.

A Defensive Mission

Hence, the decision by the European Commission to intervene for the military and political safeguarding of the Red Sea and the surrounding area. ASPIDES, in this regard, positions itself as a defensive initiative addressing the economic and strategic needs of various European countries by countering Houthi military actions. The mission finds legitimacy in international law and the European Treaty, with Article 42, paragraph 1 stating that "The Union may avail itself of such means as are made available to it by the Member States in missions outside the Union for the maintenance of peace, the prevention of conflicts, and the strengthening of international security, following the principles of the United Nations Charter. The execution of these tasks is based on the capabilities provided by the Member States.

The mission's objective remains defensive: direct action on the territory occupied by the Houthi in Yemen is impossible, but it aims to counter attacks on merchant ships.

European Cooperation

ASPIDES, besides its military significance, holds political value. The mission launched by the Council of Foreign Affairs has already been embraced by Italy, which has been entrusted with force control, as well as Germany, France, and Greece, with the possibility for other countries to participate.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, notes on X that the mission's launch and the participation of member countries are not only a solution to the crisis but also a significant step for the Union towards a stronger presence in the Red Sea to protect its strategic interests.

It is a step towards ever closer cooperation and integration among member countries, described by the Italian Foreign Minister Tajani as "a significant step towards European common defence." Additionally, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock acknowledges that this European action demonstrates the Union presenting itself as a united international community ready to counter terrorism.

In summary, ASPIDES represents an opportunity for Europe to show unity and strength as a guarantor of the interests of member and international countries, moving towards even closer cooperation.

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