Greek frigate Psara en route to join EU maritime security operation in Red Sea

By Nur Asena Erturk

The Greek frigate Psara departed Wednesday from Greece to join a European Union maritime security operation in the Red Sea to protect commercial ships from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi group, the state-run AMNA news agency reported.

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias visited the Salamina naval station and the frigate, which is taking over from the frigate HYDRA in operation Aspides, it said.

The Psara will escort the “world’s largest merchant fleet,” Dendias said.

The Aspides mission is dedicated to safeguarding the navigation routes of commercial vessels traversing the Red Sea.

The Houthis have been targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea, particularly those bound for Israel, since last fall. They say the attacks aim to pressure Israel to halt its deadly onslaught on the Gaza Strip, where nearly 37,400 people have been killed since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7.

The Red Sea is one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.