Recently, the European task force established to protect ships in the Red Sea from Houthi rebel attacks is facing difficulties in fulfilling its assigned tasks. This information has been highlighted in various publications and announcements made by governments on the continent regarding their participation in the naval defense force. The task force, named Aspides, was created by the European Union three months ago as part of efforts to restore security to the region.

Aspides is jointly led by the Greek and Italian navies and was modeled after similar task forces deployed to combat Somali pirates in the Horn of Africa. However, the threat posed by Yemeni rebels has proven more complex than anticipated. According to Greek admiral Vasilios Grifari, who heads the mission, Aspides has faced challenges such as a successful attack that compromised the air defense systems of European ships.

With only three active battleships in the mission and limited intelligence coverage, Aspides is struggling to meet the demands placed on it by the European Union. Recent data shows a significant decrease in the number of ships passing through the Red Sea, indicating a potential impact on international trade. The situation is further complicated by Germany’s withdrawal from