The European Union Foreign Affairs Council yesterday approved the launch of the Aspides naval military operation, for which Italy will command the forces. "Italy is at the forefront of protecting merchant interests and free navigation in the Red Sea. This is an important step toward common European defense," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani was quick to announce on X. Diplomatic sources pointed out that "Italy will flank the impulse role it has played under the political profile for the launch of the Operation with an important operational role: it will offer the Force Commander - Rear Admiral Costantino - and the Force Headquarters, which will be installed aboard a destroyer". The Aspides Operational Headquarters, on the other hand, will be detached to the European Headquarters in Larissa, while the Strategic Command will remain - as for all EU military missions and operations - in Brussels.
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