EU reviews Red Sea mission mandate amid potential Houthi attacks

Moscow (ANTARA) - The European Union (EU) is likely to review the mandate of its naval operation in the Red Sea if the Houthi movement in Yemen resumes attacks on commercial ships in the region. “If the situation changes (if attacks resume), discussions regarding the mandate can always be held,” reported the Euractiv news portal on Monday, citing an unnamed diplomat. However, it is still too early to discuss any specific changes, the diplomat added. Europe faces increasing pressure to expand the Red Sea mission to the Persian Gulf amid political demands related to surging oil and gas prices, according to the Euractiv report. Nevertheless, EU leaders are concerned that military intervention could drag the bloc into a regional conflict. On Saturday (28/3), the Houthi group launched rockets at Israel for the first time since the escalation in the Persian Gulf region. Houthi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree said the group would continue targeting Israel until it halts its operations in Iran and Lebanon. On 28 February, the United States and Israel launched attacks on several targets in Iran, including in Tehran, causing damage and civilian casualties. Iran then responded by attacking Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East.