EU Launches Mission To Protect Red Sea Shipping From Houthi Attacks

The European Union launched a naval mission on Monday to protect Red Sea shipping from Yemen's Houthi rebels as a U.S.-owned cargo vessel repeatedly came under fire in the region.

The Iran-backed Houthis, who control much of war-torn Yemen, have been harassing the vital shipping lane since November in a campaign they say is in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war.

The EU aims to have the mission — called Aspides, Greek for "shield" — up and running in a "few weeks" with at least four vessels, an official said on Friday, ahead of Monday's official launch.