On 27 February, between 8:50p.m. and 09:20 p.m. (Djibouti time), EUNAVFOR ASPIDES warship (German Frigate HESSEN) identified 2 unmanned aerial vehi-cles (UAVs) coming from Houthis controlled territories in Yemen and posing a direct threat to the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. EUNAVFOR ASPIDES warship, acting in self-defense, successfully engaged and shot down the UAVs. This action follows two similar events involving Aspides assets.

EUNAVFOR ASPIDES has a defensive mandate, to protect shipping targeted by attacks at sea or air. Any response will always come as a consequence of an attack and be necessary, proportionate and limited to international sea or air-space.