The European Union Will Launch A Navy Mission To The Red Sea In The Middle Of This Month.

F221 FGS Hessen frigate belongs to Germany. (Wikimedia Commons/Commander US Naval Forces Europe-Africa/US 6th Fleet)

JAKARTA - EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the bloc member states plan to launch a naval mission into the Red Sea in the middle of this month to protect ships from the Houthi militia attack.

The activity of commercial shipping ships diverts their route from the Red Sea, following attacks carried out by the Houthis that control most of Yemen.

"Not all member states are willing to participate but nothing is in the way. I hope that by the 17th of this month (February) the mission can be launched," Borrell said.

The bloc held a meeting of defense ministers, to select the country that will lead, outlining at safe the mission is based, who will participate and with what assets.

Borrell said the EU operation would be named Aspides, which means a protector, with the mandate of protecting commercial attacks and intercepting, but not taking part in the attack on the Houthis.

France, Greece and Italy have shown interest in leading the mission, with seven countries so far indicating they are willing to send naval assets, diplomats said, adding the mission would be based on EU missions in the region.

The operation will initially involve three ships under EU command. France and Italy already have warships in the region, with Germany planning to send F221 FGS Hessen frigates to the region, diplomats said.

It is known that the United States and other countries in December launched a mission in the Red Sea, to allay fears that disruption to one of the world's major trade routes could have a negative impact on the global economy.

But some US allies, especially European countries, have expressed their doubts about the plan, which caused the US and UK to launch airstrikes against the Houthi position, rejecting their idea of being under Washington's command.