The first European country vowed to launch strikes against Houthi ground targets, after the European Union announced that its operation in the Red Sea would not direct ground strikes against the coup group.

In a statement, the German Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that it was prepared to launch attacks on “ground targets” belonging to the Iranian-affiliated Houthi group, as part of the “ASPEEDS” operation, which was launched by the European Union last month, to help protect international navigation at sea. Red.

The German Foreign Ministry said in the statement that the “Aspides” operation is considered a defensive operation and is not directed against ground targets, “However, in order to deter these continuing threats, we will not hesitate to defend and guarantee the freedom of movement of goods along one of the most important sea lanes.” World-wide importance.”

She stressed that freedom of navigation in sea lanes is essential to global supply chains, and therefore, the Houthi attacks pose a threat to both global trade and stability within the region, and a danger to the environment. According to the statement.

The statement added: “Houthi attacks would undermine stability within the region, as they endanger energy, food, and other supplies, especially in neighboring countries located in the Gulf and East Africa regions.”

The statement stressed Germany’s commitment, by protecting ships under attack and ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, to achieving stability within the region, noting that “Operation Aspides, under the leadership of the European Union, aims to achieve three goals: “To deter attacks on commercial ships, and to enhance awareness of maritime situations in coordination with its partners.” According to the statement.

On February 19, the European Union officially launched Operation Aspids, as a mission to help protect international navigation in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks in Yemen.

At dawn last Wednesday, the German News Agency (DPA) reported that the German naval frigate (Hessen), which was deployed in the Red Sea as part of a European Union naval mission to protect shipping operations, repelled an attack launched by the Houthis in Yemen for the first time. The first.

She explained that the frigate succeeded in successfully dealing with two “enemy” targets last Tuesday evening.

The German army said that the F-22 military frigate, as part of the European operation in the Red Sea, clashed with two drones launched by the Houthis and shot them down.