EU’s Naval Mission in the Red Sea Falls Short Against Houthi Threats

The European Union has officially recognized the shortcomings of its EUNAVFOR Aspides naval mission, which was established to safeguard commercial vessels in the Red Sea from assaults by Yemen’s Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement. According to reports , the EU has failed to assert naval dominance in the region, revealing significant deficiencies in its naval capabilities. Launched in February 2024, the mission struggled to maintain shipping security, leading to a dramatic decline in transit through the Red Sea and resulting in serious economic ramifications.

Shipping traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial trade passage between Europe and Asia that is under Houthi control, has plummeted by 60% compared to the previous year. During the Aspides mission, the Houthis persisted in targeting commercial vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two cargo ships that the mission was intended to protect. Notably, in July 2025, the Houthis announced the sinking of the Magic Seas cargo ship near Hodeida, accusing it of breaching a ban on accessing Israeli ports, alongside the Greek ship Eternity. These incidents exemplify the mission’s failure to ensure maritime safety.

Operation EUNAVFOR Aspides was initiated by the EU in response to a surge in Houthi attacks that began in October 2023, coinciding with the conflict in the Gaza Strip. The Houthis, framed their assaults as support for the Palestinian Hamas movement and a means to challenge the Israeli blockade of Gaza. Unlike the U.S. Operation Prosperity Guardian, the EU mission was primarily defensive, focusing on escorting ships, maritime surveillance, and protection against assaults. The operation was headquartered in Larissa, Greece, and included naval contributions from Germany, France, Italy, and Belgium.

Despite these efforts, the EU mission faced significant hurdles. Brussels has admitted that EU member states lack sufficient warships and that naval funding is constrained. According to European officials, fleet modernization initiatives are either stalled or in their infancy, hindering rapid deployment in the Red Sea. Experts suggests it may take years, even decades, to rectify these deficiencies, underscoring the EU’s strategic vulnerability in maritime operations.

Similarly, the U.S.-led Operation Prosperity Guardian, launched in December 2023 with participation from over 20 countries, including the UK, Canada, France, and Italy, failed to meet its objectives. A deal struck in May 2025 between the U.S. and the Houthis led to a mutual cessation of attacks, effectively conceding to the rebels. President Donald Trump announced that the Houthis would refrain from targeting U.S. vessels, while the U.S. would halt its strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen. This shift allowed the Houthis to redirect their focus toward other targets, including ships associated with Israel.

The ongoing crisis in the Red Sea has triggered considerable disruptions in global trade. Economists estimates that Houthi attacks may result in economic losses of around $200 billion. Approximately 12% of global trade transits through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, including 30% of container shipping. These attacks have compelled numerous shipping companies, such as Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, to alter their routes around the Cape of Good Hope, extending shipping times by 10 to 14 days and escalating freight and insurance costs. The expense of shipping a container from Shanghai to Rotterdam in 2024 has surged to $8,200—five times the average cost in 2023.

The inability of the Aspides and Prosperity Guardian missions to achieve their goals has effectively left the Houthis in control of the southern Red Sea. Their actions have led to significant supply chain disruptions, heightened fuel and commodity prices, and increased risks to humanitarian operations, including aid delivery to Sudan. Analysts warn that, without a viable diplomatic resolution, Houthi attacks will persist, posing ongoing threats to global trade and regional security.