Italy Takes Command of the European Mission to Protect Navigation in the Red Sea
For the Second Time in Less Than a Month
The European Union announced that Italy has once again assumed command of its naval mission dedicated to protecting commercial shipping and ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) mission “ASPIDES” stated on its account on the “X” platform on Thursday that Italian Rear Admiral Massimo Bono took over command of the task force today from his predecessor, Dutch Rear Admiral George Pastoor, who had been leading the mission since his appointment on June 15.
This is the second time in less than a month that Italy has taken command of the mission. Italy had previously led the mission until mid-June before handing it over to the Netherlands.
The “ASPIDES” mission noted that under the leadership of Rear Admiral Pastoor, it successfully continued its naval operations, fulfilling the European Union’s tangible commitment to regional maritime navigation and the protection of its freedom in the area.
While welcoming the new commander and his team, the European mission praised the crew of the Dutch support ship “Dorman,” stating that they have “performed exceptionally since joining on May 11, carrying out multiple tasks, including refueling ships at sea and saving the lives of sailors.”
“ASPIDES” pledged to continue carrying out its duties to maintain maritime security under the European Union’s Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP), ensuring full compliance with international law concerning the freedom of maritime trade and securing the passage of commercial ships through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
It is worth noting that the Dutch Rear Admiral had taken over command of the mission in mid-June from his Italian predecessor, Rear Admiral Stefano Costantino, who had been leading the European mission since his appointment on February 14.
The European Union launched its naval operation “ASPIDES” on February 19, 2024, in response to the increasing Houthi attacks on commercial and Western warships in the Red Sea region and the northwestern Indian Ocean. The operation’s headquarters is located in Larissa, Greece, and its naval fleet consists of European ships and frigates, with a naval crew from 19 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Greece, and Belgium.
By/radwa sherif ✏️✏️📚