Greece joins “Prosperity Guardian” Operation amid rising Houthi Attacks in Red Sea region

Greece sends a frigate to the multinational operation “Prosperity Guardian”, according to an announcement made on Thursday morning by the Greek Minister of Defence, Nikos Dendias. The operation “Prosperity Guardian”, in which, apart from Greece, the USA and ten more nations will participate, aims to ensure free and safe navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, where recently there has been an increase in attacks on cargo ships by the Houthis of Yemen, prompted by the Israel-Gaza war.

Following is the announcement by the Greek Minister of Defence, Nikos Dendias:

“The international community faces a major security challenge in the region of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Attacks on cargo ships by armed groups, drones, and missiles pose a huge threat to human lives, international security and stability, the global economy, and the well-being of citizens.

Greece, the country with the largest commercial fleet, has a primary interest in maintaining the freedom of sea lanes and the protection of the lives of seafarers.

Following the instructions of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, I requested the Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, General Konstantinos Floros, and the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Ioannis Drymousis, to participate in the multinational operation ‘Prosperity Guardian’ with a Hellenic Navy Frigate, for the protection of merchant ships, the lives of seafarers, and the global economy.

I also informed Egypt about this matter during my last visit to Cairo.

It goes without saying that the Frigate participating in the Operation is equipped with the necessary means of self-protection.”