EU launches naval mission in Red Sea, Gulf regions

BRUSSELS, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) said Monday it launched a naval mission in the Red Sea and the Gulf regions to safeguard its commercial and security interests.

The mission, codenamed "ASPIDES", meaning shield in Greek, is of "defensive" nature, aiming to "restore and safeguard freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf," said the Council of the EU in a press release.

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