German frigate Hessen, deployed to the Red Sea as part of an EU mission, has countered an attack by the Houthi movement in Yemen, according to German news agency dpa.

The ship carried out counterattacks against two enemy targets on Tuesday, sources told the news agency.

This is the first time the German navy has used live weapons on this mission, which is considered one of Germany’s most dangerous in decades.

Last week, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius described its purpose as protecting international law, freedom and security at sea, but also stabilizing trade routes and the entire region.

”It is no exaggeration to say that this is the most serious and the most dangerous deployment of the navy in decades,” the defense minister said.

The Houthi movement in Yemen has carried out a series of drone and missile attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea. The Houthis say these are reactions to Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

The movement holds de facto power in Yemen, but is only recognized as the country’s legitimate government in a few corners of the international community - including Iran, which supports the movement.

In a televised speech last week, the movement’s leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, stated that the movement will expand the scope of its attacks on merchant ships off the coast of Yemen.

On February 19, EU foreign ministers decided that the EU should send warships to the Red Sea to protect civilian shipping.

The mission is called Aspides. It also involves Denmark in the form of the Danish frigate ”Iver Huitfeldt”, which has arrived in the Red Sea to take part in the US-led defensive Operation Prosperity Guardian.

However, the Danish ship is expected to contribute to the EU mission.

The ships on the EU mission are only allowed to attack militants who attack first. However, they are allowed to fire shots in a ’pre-emptive’ manner.

(Translated using DeepL with additional editing by Catherine Brett)