Vasileios Gryparis
EU’s Red Sea naval mission not affected by Iran attack on Israel, commander says
The operations of the European Union's naval mission to the Red Sea have not been affected by Iran's first-ever direct attack on Israel but the force needs more combat ships to protect merchant vessels sailing through "a vast area," its commander told Reuters on Tuesday.
Aspides mission chief preparing for any deterioration in Red Sea
Rear Admiral Vasileios Gryparis, the Greek operation commander of the European naval mission Aspides, designed to protect ships sailing through the Red Sea from Houthi attacks, said on Monday that "we are also preparing for any deterioration of the situation in the region."
EU Red Sea mission has repelled 11 attacks: Borrell
The European Union's naval mission in the Red Sea has repelled attacks on 11 civilian ships since it was launched in late February, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Monday.
The Iran-backed Huthis, who control much of war-torn Yemen, have been targeting the vital shipping lane since November in a campaign they say is in solidarity with Palestinians during the Gaza war.
Vasileios Gryparis appointed Commander of EU’s Red Sea mission
Commodore Vasileios Gryparis has been appointed EU Operation Commander of the European Union's naval mission in the Red Sea, according to the Official Journal of the European Union issued on Monday.
The EU mission - dubbed Aspides, from the Greek for "shield" - which will be launched in mid-February, aims to protect merchant ships from attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militia.