According to information published by Pontos News on December 19, 2023, the Greek Ministry of National Defense, led by Minister Nikos Dendias, has announced the deployment of a Greek frigate to the Red Sea.
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Hellenic Navy's Elli class frigate HS Kanaris. (Picture source: Hellenic MoD)
In line with directives from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Minister Dendias requested the deployment from General Konstantinos Floros, Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, and Vice Admiral Ioannis Drymousis of the Hellenic Navy. The operation aims to protect commercial vessels, safeguard the lives of sailors, and ensure global economic security.
Greece, boasting the world's largest merchant fleet, has a vested interest in maintaining the freedom of maritime routes and protecting the lives of sailors. Minister Dendias also informed the Egyptian side of this decision during his recent visit to Cairo.
Context
The Red Sea, a key waterway for global trade, has increasingly become a focal point of international security concerns due to a surge in attacks on shipping in the region. These attacks, primarily by Houthi forces in Yemen, have raised alarms in the global shipping community, leading to heightened measures to ensure safe maritime circulation.
The strategic importance of the Red Sea lies in its role as a major maritime chokepoint. It connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Indian Ocean, forming a crucial part of the route for ships traveling between Europe and Asia.
This region is particularly vital for the transportation of oil and liquefied natural gas, with significant volumes of global trade passing through it. The Strait of Bab el-Mandeb, at the southern end of the Red Sea, is one of three critical chokepoints in the Middle East, alongside the Gulf of Hormuz and the Suez Canal. The stability and security of these chokepoints are essential for the uninterrupted flow of international trade.
The U.S. Secretary of Defense announced the formation of a 10-nation coalition, "Operation Prosperity Guardian," to counter the threats in the Red Sea. This coalition, including nations like the UK, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, and others, represents a multinational security initiative to protect freedom of navigation in this critical region.
