Sweden explores potential support for EU mission in Red Sea
Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström (Photo: Getty Images)
Sweden may provide support to EU operations in the Red Sea. The government has sent a request to the Swedish Armed Forces, which will now study the possibilities for this, states the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Tobias Billström.
According to him, specific Swedish support may be needed to support security and navigation in the Red Sea. "Sweden fully supports the efforts made to support security and freedom of navigation in the region. Sweden is also exploring possibilities to support efforts in the Red Sea," he said.
At the same time, the minister did not specify what form such support could take. "We will return to this issue," he added.
The Swedish Armed Forces press service states that the department has received a request from the government to examine the possibility of supporting operations in the Red Sea.
"The defense forces will respond to the request by the end of next week. Until then, we do not have the opportunity to answer additional questions," the press service said.
U.S. and allied strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen
Since November 2023, Yemeni Houthi rebels have been attacking merchant ships in the Red Sea, claiming these vessels have ties to Israel.
This week, the Houthi rebels carried out their largest attack, and the U.S. and British forces successfully repelled it.
On the night of January 12, in response to the continuous attacks, Britain and the U.S. launched powerful strikes on targets associated with the Houthis in Yemen.
Learn more about the Houthi rebels and why they are attacking ships in the Red Sea in our article.
