Finland is also sending its soldiers to the US-led operation.
Finland sends soldiers to the Red Sea to protect international shipping. The issue was outlined today by key government ministers led by President Alexander Stubb.
reported earlier this week that the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are preparing to send soldiers.
A total of seven soldiers leave. They will be divided into both the European Union mission and the US-led mission.
Several European countries are already involved in both operations. The operations attempt to protect the passage of ships around the Red Sea, where the Yemeni rebels have targeted merchant ships with their drone and missile strikes.
Finns participate in staff tasks, that is, they are involved in planning and leading.
The Yemeni opposition group, the Houthis, began striking in the Red Sea after the war in Gaza began. The Yemeni rebels get support from Iran and justify their attacks with the Gaza war. Ships have been damaged and this week two sailors were killed in a missile strike. There is also fear of environmental damage at sea, because the British-owned ship is half sunk at sea and the fertilizer cargo is leaking into the sea.
Finland wants to support the Western community and calm the Middle East
Finland joins the operations for two reasons.
– It is in Finland’s interests that the situation in the Middle East can be calmed down. Likewise, the smoothness and safety of maritime traffic is important to Finland, says the head of the defense policy department Janne Kuusela from the Ministry of Defence.
According to Kuusela, the operations support each other. They are essential for the entire Western community.
Finnish soldiers will work in the staff or possibly in staff positions on the ship.
There are countries loyal to the United States
The operation has both differences and similarities. The lead ship of the US-led Prosperity Guardian is currently a US aircraft carrier. Later it will be replaced by a British aircraft carrier. The countries use F-35 B fighters on their ships.
In addition, there is a Danish frigate in the operation. The Danish shipping company Maersk has been severely affected by the attacks in the Red Sea.
In total, several states are involved.
– In this operation, there are countries that want to show their loyalty to the United States, says the lieutenant colonel Juha Mäkelä From the Defense Forces Research Institute.
European warships create a protective bubble for cargo ships
The lead country of the EU operation is Greece. The EU has emphasized that its operation is purely defensive.
According to Mäkelä, the EU operation also has a real effect on ships daring to use the Red Sea route again. Warships can use their air defense to create a bubble under which merchant ships can pass.
Hybrid warfare methods familiar from the Baltic Sea have also been seen in the Red Sea.
– Last Monday, the data and phone connections leading from Asia to Europe were damaged and a quarter of them fell out of the game. The damage probably occurred in a situation similar to anchor dragging. The possibility of underwater sabotage cannot be ruled out, but the Hutus themselves do not have such underwater performance, says Mäkelä.
In addition to these operations, the United States and Britain are carrying out attacks on Houthi bases so that they cannot continue their attacks.
Do you want to discuss the topic? The discussion is open until 23:00 on March 8, 2024