UPDATE - EU to contribute to US-led security coalition in Red Sea against Houthi attacks

UPDATES WITH GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER STATEMENT

By Nur Asena Erturk / Ahmet Gencturk

ANKARA/ATHENS (AA) – The European Union will contribute to a maritime coalition led by the US for security in the Red Sea amid ongoing Houthi attacks on commercial vessels.

At the extraordinary Political and Security Committee (PSC) meeting today, member states have agreed to contribute to the US Operation Prosperity Guardian, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on X on Wednesday.

Borrell added that "irresponsible Houthi actions are a threat to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea."

The EU will intensify information sharing, and increase its "presence with additional naval assets," he explained.

Meanwhile, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias announced that Greece too will dispatch a frigate to contribute to the US-led operation in the Red Sea, according to the public broadcaster ERT.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced earlier this week the creation of a multinational naval task force to counter Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

According to the US announcement, so far NATO nations the UK, Canada, France, Italy, Norway, and the Netherlands pledged support for the Operation Prosperity Guardian to defend merchant ships transiting between Asia and Europe.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have significantly stepped up their involvement in the current conflict in the Gaza Strip by targeting vessels in the southern Red Sea, saying the move came in solidarity with “the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip.”

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