The Swedish government, led by Foreign Minister Tobias Billstr"om, has expressed a desire for Sweden to participate in two maritime security operations in the Red Sea, namely the US-initiated 'Operation Prosperity Guardian' and the proposed EU mission 'Operation Aspides.

' The primary objective of these operations is to safeguard civilian shipping from attacks by Houthi rebels, which pose a threat to vital international trade routes.

The government's stance is contingent upon obtaining broad support from the Riksdagen, Sweden's parliament.

While the Moderates (M) are pushing forward with the plans, the Social Democrats (S) remain hesitant, with their foreign policy spokesperson Morgan Johansson citing concerns over the current proposal.

Despite domestic political challenges, the commitment to these operations marks a significant step in Sweden's security policy, with increased involvement in international military cooperation and the protection of global maritime trade.