German govt approves military participation in EU Red Sea mission

BERLIN, Feb 16: The German government has approved the deployment of armed forces in a European Union naval mission in the Red Sea to protect merchant ships from attacks by Yemens Iran-backed Houthi militia, a government spokesperson said on Friday.

Many commercial shippers have diverted vessels following attacks by the Houthis, who control much of Yemen and say they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians as Israel and Hamas wage war in Gaza.

"The ongoing escalation of violence and the threat to life and limb of the crews of ships, particularly in the southern Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, require a robustly equipped military operation," the government spokesperson said during a regular press conference in Berlin. Germanys participation still hinges on parliamentary approval. A vote on the matter is scheduled for next Friday and is widely expected to go through.    â€”REUTERS