The German government has approved the deployment of armed forces in a European Unionnaval mission in the Red Sea to protect merchant ships from attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militia, a government spokesperson said on Friday.

Many commercial shippers have diverted vessels following attacks by the Houthis, who control much of Yemen and say they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians as Israel and Hamas wage war in Gaza. The attacks began in mid-November after Iran's ruler Ali Khamenei called on Muslim nations to blockade Israel.

"The ongoing escalation of violence and the threat to life and limb of the crews of ships, particularly in the southern Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, require a robustly equipped military operation," the government spokesperson said during a regular press conference in Berlin.

Germany's participation still hinges on parliamentary approval. A vote on the matter is scheduled for next Friday and is widely expected to go through.

Parliamentarians are to receive a motion for a mandate running up till the end of February 2025 with an upper limit of 700 soldiers deployed, the spokesperson said.

In early February, a German air defense frigatewas sent to join the EU mission. France, Greece and Italy are among the countries that will participate in the mission, named Aspides, meaning protector. The United States and many allied nations have formed a task force to protect shipping in the area.

They will be mandated to protect commercial ships and intercept attacks, but not take part in strikes against the Houthis on land.

Reporting by Reuters