2024-05-02 22:00:07
Previously, the participation of Latvian soldiers in this operation was also supported by the government.
The Ministry of Defense has indicated that, starting from the end of 2023, the safety of shipping in the Red Sea has deteriorated rapidly. In response to the situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip, Houthi fighters have launched attacks on naval vessels using the Red Sea region. The Houthis claimed that the attacks were in response to Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip, targeting ships linked to Israel and its supplies. It is now clear that regular attacks take place on ships regardless of their nationality, cargo content and destination.
In order to fight Houthi attacks and restore safe shipping traffic, the USA launched the “Prosperity Guardian” coalition operation in December 2023, in which the USA and Great Britain carry out counter-attacks against Yemen’s Houthis. However, these counter-attacks have not reduced the intensity of Houthi attacks and currently there are no signs of de-escalation of the conflict in the region.
The Red Sea region is a very important sea route. It connects the Indian Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea. About 17,000 ships, whose cargo accounts for 12%-15% of global trade, use this sea route every year. This is a very important trade and supply route for Europe, according to the Ministry of Defense.
In response to the crisis in the Red Sea, the Council of the European Union (EU) has made a decision in February to create a new maritime security operation “Eunavfor Aspides“, the purpose of which is to escort international ships in the operation area, identify and monitor the situation in the operation area, protect ships in the water against various attacks in accordance with international laws.
The operational area will be the Strait of Babelmandeb, Strait of Hormuz, as well as international waters in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf.
The operational headquarters of the operation will be located in Greece. The headquarters of the operation force will be located on the Italian warship in the area of operation.
The initial deadline for the operation is February 19, 2025. Operational discussions indicate that it will be extended and the EU will implement the operation until safe shipping in the Red Sea region is ensured.
Latvia has the opportunity to contribute to the operation by sending a National Armed Forces (NBS) Navy officer or instructor to one of the vacant positions in the operational headquarters of the operation, or by filling a vacant position on one of the allied ships in the area of operations. The potential participation of the NBS representative in the operation would be planned starting from the summer of 2024 – for the second rotation of the operation staff.
Latvia’s participation in the operation would give the NBS representative the opportunity to gain operational experience in the EU maritime security operation, as well as promote the overall competence and visibility of the NBS Naval Forces. It is no less important for Latvia to demonstrate unity with other EU countries by participating in ensuring the safety of a shipping route important to Europe, the Ministry of Defense says.
2024-05-02 22:00:07