The German government has formally decided to join a European Union military mission to protect shipping in the Red Sea, a widely expected step given that a German naval frigate is already en route to the region. The authorization will provide for up to 700 German military personnel to take part in the mission, which is aimed at protecting the important maritime shipping route from attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen. Deputy government spokesman Wolfgang Büchner announced the decision by the coalition government on Friday in Berlin. Germany’s lower house of parliament, the …