Extension of the Bundeswehr mission EUNAVFOR ASPIDES in the Red Sea

The Bundestag voted on the early extension of two mandates for the Bundeswehr's foreign missions in the Red Sea and South Sudan. Both mandates would have expired in spring 2025 and are now scheduled to continue until October 2025. In a corresponding proposal, the Federal Government proposes that the Bundeswehr continue to participate in the EU-led operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES in the Red Sea with up to 700 soldiers. The area of ​​operations will include the Strait of Bab al-Mandab and the Strait of Hormuz, as well as international waters in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. The federal government bases its request on the Houthi militia's attacks on international shipping, which are causing great economic damage. There was a recommendation for a resolution from the Foreign Affairs Committee for the application, in which the acceptance of the application was recommended. The Budget Committee also published a report on the compatibility of the application with the federal budget situation. The motion was approved with 594 votes. 37 MPs voted against. There were three abstentions from Kathrin Henneberger (B90/Greens faction), Steffen Janich and René Springer (both AfD faction).