European Union Expands Naval Operations to Counter Shipping Threats in Red Sea and Indian Ocean

The European Union’s naval mission Aspides warned that cargo ships linked to Israel, the United States or Saudi Arabia face heightened risk while transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden near Yemen. Yemen’s armed forces have announced a ban on vessels connected to Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea, threatening any violations.

Separately, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced that the union’s Operation Atalanta will now conduct flag‑verification boardings of Russian “shadow‑fleet” tankers suspected of sailing under false flags in the western Indian Ocean. The move extends powers previously used by Operation Irini in the Mediterranean and aims to disrupt oil shipments that fund Russia’s war effort. Both actions reflect the EU’s broader push to enforce sanctions and protect commercial shipping across critical waterways.