BRUSSELS—The European Union is strengthening its naval presence in the Red Sea after renewed security concerns over potential threats to commercial shipping, as reports of possible Houthi action against the Bab el-Mandeb Strait added to fears of further disruption along one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas visited Djibouti this week, where she signed a Status of Forces Agreement supporting the bloc's EUNAVFOR ASPIDES maritime security mission, aimed at protecting merchant shipping and safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. According to the European Union, the agreement secures continued logistical support for EU naval vessels and aircraft operating from Djibouti.
The move comes after reports, attributed to multiple sources familiar with the matter, said Iran had instructed Yemen's Houthi movement to prepare to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait if the United States expanded military action against Iranian infrastructure. Reuters was unable to independently verify the reported directive, and neither Iranian nor Houthi officials publicly confirmed it.
Kallas said the regional security environment had deteriorated, citing persistent missile threats against international shipping and recent Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia that she said underscored the risk of wider instability affecting maritime routes. She described protecting commercial navigation as a priority for the European Union.
The EU launched Operation ASPIDES in 2024 as a defensive naval mission following repeated attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea. Earlier this year, the European Council extended the mission's mandate until February 2027 and expanded its responsibilities to include monitoring suspicious activity involving critical submarine infrastructure, cooperation with regional partners and training support for Djibouti's maritime forces and the Yemeni Coast Guard.
European officials have said the mission is intended to remain defensive and focused on protecting maritime traffic rather than participating in broader regional military operations. In March, Kallas said EU member states wanted to reinforce the Red Sea mission but had no plans to extend its mandate to the Strait of Hormuz despite heightened tensions elsewhere in the region.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait links the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serves as a critical gateway for trade between Europe and Asia. Shipping disruptions in the area have previously forced many commercial operators to reroute vessels around southern Africa, increasing transit times and transport costs.
EU officials said Operation ASPIDES would continue coordinating with international partners while maintaining its focus on protecting commercial shipping and supporting freedom of navigation under international law.
