European Union foreign ministers have granted authorization for a naval operation aimed at safeguarding global maritime navigation in the Red Sea.

The mission, named Aspides, derived from the ancient Greek term for shield, will deploy three European warships and airborne early warning systems to patrol the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and nearby areas.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, expressed her approval of Monday's resolution stating "Europe will ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, working alongside our international partners. Beyond crisis response, it's a step towards a stronger European presence at sea to protect our European interests."

- Houthi attacks -

The military spokesperson for the Yemen's Houthis, Yahya Saree, announced Monday morning the targeting of a British ship in the Gulf of Aden with a number of missiles.

Saree added that the ship suffered catastrophic damage and came to a complete halt.

"We ensured the safe evacuation of the British ship's crew during the operation," he said.

Additionally, he mentioned that the Houthis also downed an American MQ-9 drone with an air defense missile in Al Hudaydah.

Since November 19, the Houthis have been carrying out attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea suspected to be linked to the Israeli Occupation or heading towards its ports, in response to the aggression on Gaza.

Meanwhile, British and American forces responded with strikes on Houthi-affiliated sites in Yemen.