German Frigate "Hessen" Thwarts Houthi Missile Attack in Red Sea

Operating in the Red Sea as part of an EU mission, the German frigate "Hessen" neutralized a missile fired by Houthi rebels towards a commercial ship, reported the German news agency DPA, citing British military sources.

The target of the Houthi rebels' missile attack was a commercial ship located in the Red Sea approximately 69 miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodiedah.

Thanks to the rapid response of the German frigate "Hessen," one missile was successfully intercepted, while another missed its target. Consequently, the commercial ship remained unharmed and was safely continuing its voyage to the intended port.

The Operation Aspides, initiated by EU countries in February of this year, is designed to guarantee free navigation in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.

The operation's command center, situated in Larissa, Greece, collaborates with British and German warships and US forces.

In response to the Israeli army's efforts to alleviate the Gaza Strip, following a severe Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7 last year, backed by Iran, Houthi fighters in Yemen have escalated their assaults on commercial vessels en route to Israel and NATO warships using missiles and drones.

Since November, the Houthis have launched repeated attacks against ships in the Red Sea, stating that these actions support the Palestinian organization Hamas and its resistance against Israel.