Paris, Mar  10 (V7N) – France will send two warships to the Red Sea as part of the European Union (EU) naval mission Operation Aspides, French President Emmanuel Macron announced.

Macron said the deployment aims to ensure the safety of commercial shipping in the Red Sea and nearby waters, which have recently faced security threats. The mission will be conducted in coordination with European and other international partners.

The EU launched Operation Aspides in 2024 to protect merchant vessels from attacks by Houthi rebels targeting ships traveling through the Red Sea and surrounding maritime routes.

Officials say the mission focuses on defensive naval operations and escorting commercial ships to keep the crucial global shipping route secure. 

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