A Greek warship participating in the European Union’s maritime mission in the Red Sea intercepted two drones launched by the Houthis from Yemen towards a commercial ship, Greek defense officials announced on Thursday.
The Greek frigate “Hydra,” accompanying a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden, fired at the two drones, according to officials.
“One was destroyed while the other retreated,” added another official from the Ministry of Defense, confirming the incident.
Greece has deployed a frigate to participate in the European Union’s mission in the region, which began in February to assist in safeguarding maritime trade routes from attacks by the Houthis allied with Iran.
The Houthis have been conducting drone and missile attacks targeting commercial ships, citing retaliation for Israel’s actions against Gaza.
The Houthi movement, officially known as Ansar Allah, is a Yemeni rebel group operating in Yemen.
They gained control of the capital, Sana’a, in 2014 and have since been engaged in a conflict against the internationally recognized government and a Saudi-led coalition that supports it.
The conflict has led to widespread humanitarian suffering, including food insecurity and the displacement of millions of people.
The Red Sea region, including the Gulf of Aden, is a crucial maritime route for global trade, making it a strategic area of interest for international maritime security efforts.