Italy is taking action to address the escalating attacks by Houthi rebels on cargo ships in the Red Sea. As part of the European Union mission “Aspides” (meaning “Shields”), Italy plans to send a ship and aircraft to the region. This was announced by the Minister of Defense of the Republic, Guido Crosetto, as reported by the ANSA news agency.
According to the Minister, the mission’s headquarters will be located in Larisa, Greece, based on preliminary information. However, the execution of this plan will require additional funding and approval from the parliament.
Crosetto emphasized that the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are undermining the European economy. These attacks have resulted in a 38% reduction in the passage of ships in the area, leading to longer transportation times of 10-12 days and posing a risk of marginalizing Mediterranean ports.
Following the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis warned that they would strike Israeli territory and prevent ships associated with Israel from passing through the waters of the Red Sea and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait until the operation in the Palestinian enclave ceases. Since mid-November of last year, they have targeted dozens of civilian ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The radical movement “Ansar Allah” (the Houthis), which controls a large part of the Yemeni coast of the Red Sea in the north, has been using anti-ship missiles against ships associated with Israel, Jewish businessmen, and vessels of the anti-Houthi coalition.
Earlier, the Houthis announced their intention to attack commercial ships in the Red Sea every 12 hours.
