European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell (pictured) told reporters on Monday that the EU's naval mission in the Red Sea, known as Aspides, has successfully prevented 11 attacks by the Houthi rebels on civilian ships since its inception in February.
"In less than two months since the operation was launched, the operation has escorted 68 vessels and has repelled 11 attacks," Borrell added.
The mandate of this mission is "purely defensive," and it is strictly prohibited from launching any offensive operations against the Houthi rebels on Yemeni soil. However, the United States and the United Kingdom have carried out strikes on the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
