Germany approves deployment of troops in EU Red Sea mission

The German government has approved the deployment of armed forces in a European Union naval mission in the Red Sea to prevent Houthi attacks on Israel-linked ships there, a government spokesperson said.

“The ongoing escalation of violence and the threat to life and limb of the crews of ships, particularly in the southern Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, require a robustly equipped military operation,” the spokesperson said during a regular press conference in Berlin.

However, Germany's participation in the mission is awaiting parliamentary approval, with a vote slated for next Friday.

The Houthis have said their attacks on Israel-linked ships in the busy waterway are an act of solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.

France, Greece and Italy will also participate in the mission, dubbed Aspides, meaning predator.

The countries are mandated to intercept attacks, but not to target the Houthis with strikes on land.