No Attacks on Ships Since Ceasefire, but EU Extends Red Sea Naval Operation
No attacks on ships at sea by the Houthis have been reported since the ceasefire agreement between the Palestinian Hamas and Israel was signed. However, the EU Council has decided to extend the merchant navy protection operation in the Red Sea—with expanded functions. Over the past year, more than 640 merchant ships have benefited from its services.
The second phase of the ceasefire is set to begin on March 1, according to the agreement signed on January 15. This phase involves the release of the last 27 living hostages and the return of 35 bodies to their families in exchange for a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and a full cessation of hostilities.
The Iran-backed Houthi faction, which has been attacking merchant ships since December 2023 in support of Palestinian Hamas against Israel, suspended its actions following the ceasefire agreement—except against vessels linked to Israeli interests. However, the rebels, who claim to have their « finger on the trigger, » have threatened to resume drone and missile attacks if the truce is broken.
They are visibly preparing for this by stockpiling supplies. The United States Central Command (Centcom) reported that Iran continues to supply the Yemeni opposition movement. In late January, U.S. Coast Guard forces intercepted an Iranian shipment in the Gulf of Oman containing components for medium-range ballistic missiles, unmanned marine drones, and communication equipment, among other items.
The United Nations Panel of Experts has updated the supply chain details. Equipment intended for the Houthis is loaded onto boats from warehouses controlled by Unit 190 of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Chah Bahar and Bandar Abbas. It is then transshipped onto multiple fishing vessels—reducing the risk of seizures—before being clandestinely transported along the coast to Houthi-controlled areas.
A Fragile Agreement
No attacks on ships at sea have been recorded since these declarations, but the agreement remains fragile as both warring parties accuse each other of violating its terms. Negotiations between Israeli authorities and Hamas were supposed to have already begun. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks about taking control of Gaza and expelling its residents to Egypt and Jordan have stirred discussions among neighboring Arab countries—despite the seemingly outlandish nature of his statements.
In a speech in Tabriz marking the 46th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stated that Iran’s “capacity to counter serious threats is at an excellent level,” while also acknowledging the risk of heightened attacks.
Automatic Renewal
Amidst this ever-precarious situation, the EU Council has decided to extend its EUNAVFOR Aspides mission (“shield” in ancient Greek) for another year, with funding exceeding €17 million.
This « maritime surveillance and patrol mission » was launched in February 2024 for an initial one-year period in response to a highly tense situation in the Red Sea, where Houthi rebel attacks on ships were frequent and intense.
Securing the necessary funding for the deployment of a naval force to patrol and escort ships across a vast area—including the Bab el-Mandeb and Hormuz straits, the international waters of the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, and the Persian Gulf—was a politically challenging battle. The overall command has been assigned to Greece, with operational leadership handled by Italy.
France was quick to declare its readiness to deploy one of its three FREMM multi-mission frigates stationed in the Red Sea. Paris had previously refused to support a U.S.- and UK-led UN Security Council resolution authorizing a massive military response, advocating instead for naval escort and regional security measures.
640 Ships Assisted
So far, only five European countries—France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands—have contributed ships to the operation. Since its launch, over 640 merchant ships have received assistance, including 370 that benefited from close-protection escort services. Additionally, 50 sailors have been rescued. In total, 18 remotely operated munitions (ROMs), four ballistic missiles, and two unmanned surface drones (USVs) have been destroyed.
The operation’s mandate has also been revised. It must now be capable of gathering intelligence—not only to protect ships but also to monitor arms trafficking and « ghost fleets »—and share this data with EU member states, the European Commission, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), INTERPOL, EUROPOL, and the International Maritime Organization.
At present, most shipping companies continue to avoid the region, opting for the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope. The few observed transits mainly involve liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.
Effective Naval Cooperation
« Navies worldwide are now facing land conflicts spilling over into the sea and likely have never encountered such widespread threats—ranging from simple surface drones (Yemeni skiffs loaded with explosives) to aerial drones and more sophisticated ballistic or anti-ship missiles, » stated French Navy Chief of Staff Nicolas Vaujour at the November Maritime Economy Conference.
Moreover, the collaboration between merchant and national navies has reached unprecedented levels. The French Mica Center, which analyzes and assesses global maritime security, has played a crucial role in facilitating this cooperation.
Source: actu-transport-logistique
