Breaking News: Frigate “Hessen” repels first Houthi attack in the Red Sea

Four days after the Bundestag mandate was issued for deployment in the Red Sea, the frigate “Hessen” has to defend itself against attacks by the Houthis for the first time. Two enemy aircraft targets are said to have been successfully attacked.

The German frigate "Hessen", used to protect merchant ships in the Red Sea, has repelled an attack by the Yemeni Houthi militia for the first time. The frigate picked up a drone on Tuesday evening and the crew fought it "successfully", the Bundeswehr's operations command explained at X around midnight. "A short time later, a second drone approached the frigate 'Hessen'. The crew initiated defensive measures again and also fought the target successfully."

On Friday, the Bundestag approved German participation in the EU mission “Aspides”. The "Hessen" had already set off from Wilhelmshaven at the beginning of February towards the operational area, with the aim of being able to begin fulfilling the order immediately after the Bundestag decision. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said the operation would contribute to stabilizing the region. “But we must also be clear: the operation of the 'Hesse' is one of the most dangerous for the German Navy in decades,” said the SPD politician. According to its own statements, the German Navy is preparing for attacks with missiles, drones and “kamikaze boats”.The US regional command Centcom said that night that American aircraft "and an allied warship" had shot down five Houthi drones between 9:50 p.m. and 10:55 p.m. local time. It remained unclear whether the ship was the “Hesse”. The drones were sent from militia-controlled areas in Yemen and posed a threat to commercial and naval vessels in the region, a Centcom post on X said.

Houthis threaten further escalation

The Iran-aligned Houthis want to force an end to Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip by shelling merchant ships in the Red Sea, which are a response to the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7th. The sea route through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal is one of the most important trade routes in the world. Because of the attacks by the Houthis, who are armed by Iran, large shipping companies are increasingly avoiding the shortest sea connection between Asia and Europe - with significant effects on the global economy.

Last week, the Houthis said they wanted to expand attacks on merchant ships off the country's coast. The group's leader, Abdel-Malik al-Houthi, said in a televised speech that they are relying on escalation as a response to Israel's escalation in the Gaza Strip. So far 48 ships have been attacked. He also announced the use of underwater weapons.

The USA and Great Britain are taking the lead in repelling attacks in the Red Sea. 18 countries are taking part in the purely defensive EU military operation to protect merchant shipping. In addition to Germany, Belgium, Italy and France, among others, are sending ships to the Red Sea. Most recently, US and British forces attacked 18 Houthi targets in eight locations on Sunday night. According to US information, these included underground militia weapons depots as well as missile depots, drones, air defense systems and radar systems. British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps threatened the extremists with further attacks if they did not stop their attacks on merchant ships.