Finnish President Alexander Stubb and the government's Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy have decided that Finland will participate in joint military operations to restore security in the Red Sea region, the government has revealed.
In a press release issued on Friday afternoon, the government said Finland would send a maximum of five soldiers to take part in the EU's EUNAVFOR ASPIDES naval operation and that up to two soldiers would take part in the US-led, multinational Prosperity Guardian operation in the region.
The soldiers will carry out staff duties, according to the release.
The Prosperity Guardian and EU operations have deployed warships to the Red Sea to protect cargo ships in the region.
Dozens of shipping vessels have been targeted by the Iranian-aligned militant Islamist Houthis since November.
On Friday, the recently inaugurated President Stubb and the committee also discussed Russia and its war of aggression in Ukraine, as well as Finland's support of Ukraine.
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