Iranian terrorist proxies are spreading their tentacles through the Middle East, North Africa and neighboring seas. Germany is participating in several missions bracing to face the threat, and it is working to expand and combine these various missions.

For the last three months, the European Union mission eunavfor Aspides has deployed warships to protect merchant ships in the Red Sea. Since then, the threat of terrorism has only increased. Operational Commander Rear Adm. Vasileios Gryparis warned that the mission needs more warships to do its job, Spiegel reported on May 5. He also noted that the Houthis had saturated the EU ships’ air defenses with a swarm of drones at the end of April for the first time.

Spiegel noted that Germany is urging the EU to expand its Red Sea naval mission to stop the terrorists at sea and curb arms smuggling for the Houthis in Yemen. Germany supported the mission with its frigate Hessen for two months. The ship has returned to Germany and will be replaced by the frigate Hamburg at the beginning of August.

But by the time EU bureaucrats respond to Germany’s plea, it might be too late. Iran has reportedly already supplied advanced missiles and drones to its terrorist proxy in Yemen, in addition to sending hundreds of military experts for training purposes. Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida reported that Iran is building drone and ballistic missile factories in Yemen.

In the meantime, the Houthis have threatened ships in the Mediterranean Sea. But Germany contributes to various military missions that are prepared for escalation.

In addition to Aspides, it participates in the nato-led maritime security operation Sea Guardian, the eunavfor Mediterranean Irini mission, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon Maritime Task Force, as well as a nato mission in the Aegean Sea.

In a speech on March 22 in front of the Bundestag, Germany’s foreign minister stated:

Some members of the Bundestag rightfully said that we have to see [Operation Sea Guardian] in the context of the geopolitical situation. I would like to firmly underline that point of view. We cannot see the mission we are discussing today [Irini] separately from Sea Guardian or other missions such as eunavfor Aspides, as we are in a geopolitical situation in which we need to think of the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea together. Against this backdrop, eunavfor Aspides ensures presence in the Red Sea. For its part, Irini increases our European presence at our southern flank in the Mediterranean.

Members of the Bundestag rightfully said yesterday that we need Irini and Sea Guardian to be joined up better, particularly at this geopolitical time, so that we have better situational awareness on which vessels are sailing in the Mediterranean and what dangers we face. After all, we can only respond to threats if we are aware of our surroundings. Here, too, more information means greater security.

Germany has mandates to contribute a few hundred troops as well as warships to these missions, as do other European and nato countries. This lays the foundation for turning the mission into a much more robust force.

Operation Sea Guardian

Part of the purpose of Operation Sea Guardian is “the early detection of crisis developments in the Mediterranean and maritime terrorism,” according to the official website of the German military. In March, Germany decided to extend its contribution for another year. Its mandate allows the deployment of up to 550 servicemen. The Defense Ministry stated:

The Mediterranean is of particular importance as a geostrategic area. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which violates international law, Hamas’s terrorist attack on Israel, as well as refugees and illegal migration have a negative impact on this region. The security of transport and supply routes in the Mediterranean is becoming increasingly fragile. It is of central importance for Germany and Europe. Due to the tense situation in Europe, it is all the more important to secure the nato alliance area 360 degrees. A protected nato southern flank is of particular importance. It is also in the interests of the countries bordering the Mediterranean. The nato-led Operation Sea Guardian is an essential contribution to security in this region.

The German Armed Forces sees itself as a deterrent and is ready to take on further tasks, such as “securing sea routes, protecting critical infrastructure, or combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.”

Operation Med Irini

The Bundeswehr has been participating in the Irini mission in the central Mediterranean since May 7, 2020. According to an April decision by the Bundestag, it can deploy up to 300 soldiers. Germany currently contributes a civilian aircraft equipped with airborne maritime surveillance capabilities and is the second-largest troop contributor after Italy. The mandate also allows the German Bundeswehr to contribute a ship.

The stated goal of the EU mission is to enforce the UN arms embargo on Libya.

Irini is the successor to Operation Sophia, which ended in 2020. In 2016, there were some shocking revelations concerning this mission, as Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry wrote at the time:

Already, German ships are just outside Libyan waters implementing Operation Sophia, a three-phased European plan to stop people smuggling out of Libya. So far 83 smuggler boats have been destroyed or impounded when found outside Libyan territorial waters on the way to Italy or Malta.

However, that is just phase one of the plan. According to a classified report obtained by Wikileaks earlier this year, Operation Sophia’s last two phases will see EU military operations inside Libyan territorial waters—and then, finally, European boots on the ground in Libya.

It would be a mistake to believe that Germany’s plans in the region are limited to the stated mandates of these missions.

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon

The German frigate Brandenburg departed from Germany on March 21 to join the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, replacing the Baden-Württemberg. Under the command of Capt. Andreas Scheiba, the crew consisting of 203 soldiers is assisting with maritime surveillance and training for the Lebanese Navy. Germany has contributed to the mission since 2006. The Lebanese Navy has also received guard boats and coastal radar stations from Germany.

Scheiba told the Marine Press and Information Center prior to departure:

In recent months, the ship and crew have prepared intensively for the deployment obligation ahead of us and we have impressively demonstrated the operational capability of the frigate Brandenburg. However, we must not delude ourselves; the sea area to which we are deploying is characterized by crises and tensions. The situation there is volatile, but our recent training has prepared us in the best possible way for the expected scenarios on the ground.

Germany’s military leaders know this “volatile” situation could escalate at any time. When that moment comes, they will not act independently but in coordination with their allies.

The Mediterranean Battle

In “Mediterranean Battle Escalating Into World War III!” Mr. Flurry recounted Germany’s attempt to control North Africa in World War ii. German Gen. Erwin Rommel arrived in Libya on Feb. 12, 1941, and quickly conquered large territories, but the British put an end to German advances at the time. Mr. Flurry noted:

Now, 70 years later, times are different. Instead of the World War ii Allied powers being in control, North Africa and the land around the Red Sea are governed by unstable dictatorships and radical Islamic terrorist groups that seek to bring the fight to Europe!

But this time around, Germany has learned its lesson.

It will not allow Europe’s soft underbelly to be controlled by its enemy. For this reason, Germany is moving once again to conquer the Mediterranean.

What we see happening is building toward a confrontation prophesied in Daniel 11:40: “And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.”

“The king of the north” refers to a rising German-led military power; “the king of the south” refers to radical Islam, led by Iran. This prophecy is for the time of the end. Current events are leading to this coming clash.

Read Mr. Flurry’s article “Mediterranean Battle Escalating Into World War III!” to learn how German and Iran war preparations are building toward a clash.

As Mr. Flurry pointed out, this is not the end of the prophecy. The end time will conclude with God’s intervention in world affairs prophesied in Daniel 12, Matthew 24 and various other passages.