A German Navy frigate set sail on Thursday toward the Red Sea, where Berlin plans to have it take part in a European Union (EU) mission to help defend cargo ships from attacks by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels that are hampering trade.
The Hessen set off from the North Sea port of Wilhelmshaven with about 240 service people on board. The aim is to have it in place once the EU mission is given the official go-ahead and the German parliament has approved a mandate for the ship to join in, which is expected at the end of February. EU foreign ministers are expected to sign off on the Red Sea mission on February 19. Officials have said that seven countries in the bloc are ready to provide ships or planes.The Houthis have waged a persistent campaign of drone attacks on commercial ships over Israel’s offensive in Gaza against Hamas.