Portugal joins EU mission in Red Sea
Portugal's Minister of Foreign Affairs, João Gomes Cravinho (Photo: Getty Images)
Portugal will participate in the European Union mission to escort ships in the Red Sea under threat from Houthi rebels, says Portugal's Minister of Foreign Affairs, João Gomes Cravinho.
"Portugal will support this mission. It will involve an intervention component to protect ships under threat, and from our side, the Ministry of Defense will indicate the support we can provide. Of course, it will not be a frigate or a ship, but there will be a certain level of participation from our side," he stated.
EU mission in the Red Sea
Houthis began attacking ships in the Red Sea in November last year in response to Israel's military intervention against HAMAS in the Gaza Strip.
The Houthi rebels stated that the cessation of hostilities in the Red Sea depends on the end of Israeli bombings in Gaza.
The idea of the EU mission in the Red Sea is to conduct a joint operation by Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, and Portugal, which has been ongoing since 2020 in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman to protect international shipping, with overall European command and EU assets.
Germany will send the frigate Hessen to the Red Sea as part of the EU mission against the Houthis.
Additionally, Belgium will provide the frigate Louise-Marie to participate in the European defense operation in the Red Sea.
