German Bundeswehr to stay in Red Sea to protect ships against Houthis
The German Armed Forces will continue to participate in an EU mission in the Red Sea to protect merchant ships from attacks by Houthi militia after the German parliament voted to approve the deployment on Thursday.
With the votes of the ruling coalition and the opposition far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), the Bundestag extended the mandate for the Bundeswehr in the Aspides mission by another year.
“The protection of our trade routes is the foundation of our prosperity,” conservative lawmaker Johannes Volkmann said.
The Red Sea, between the north-east coast of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, is considered one of the world’s most important trade routes.
However, the Houthi militia, operating from Yemen, attack passing merchant ships there, which is why they are now escorted by international forces such as the German Navy.
The Bundestag also extended German participation in the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan.
Up to 50 German personnel are to continue supporting the peace process and protecting civilians there.
Although the civil war in the East African country was formally ended by a peace agreement in 2018, various armed groups continue to fight for influence.
