Houthi provocations continue in the Red Sea.
French Navy frigates patrolling this area of the globe destroyed two drones during the night from Monday to Tuesday after “detecting multiple drone attacks coming from Yemen”, according to the Ministry of the Armed Forces.
#RedSea |
Tonight, interceptions of aerial drones coming from Yemen by frigates 🇫🇷.
Contributions to maritime security from Suez to Hormuz and to freedom of navigation, declared objective of operation 🇪🇺 #ASPIDES, launched on 02/19, under command 🇬🇷.⤵️ pic.twitter.com/CnPfKrB4hF
— French Army - Military Operations (@EtatMajorFR) February 20, 2024
Houthi rebels, who control large areas of Yemen, have been carrying out attacks on merchant ships passing through this strategic corridor since November.
They claim to be acting in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Israel is waging a bloody war against Hamas in retaliation for the unprecedented October 7 attack on Israeli soil.
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The destruction of these two drones by the French navy “contributes to maritime security from the Suez Canal to the Strait of Hormuz,” said the ministry press release.
France deployed the multi-mission frigate (FREMM) Alsace to the region on January 20, which joined the FREMM Languedoc arriving on December 8, 2023, according to the ministry.
One is currently patrolling the Gulf of Aden and the other in the southern Red Sea, according to the French army press release which did not specify which of the two had initiated the fire.
Also read Operation “Guardians of Prosperity”: what means will be mobilized against the Houthis in the Red Sea?
On December 10, Languedoc had to fire Aster 15 anti-aircraft missiles to shoot down two drones that were heading straight towards it.
Such a launch of surface-to-air missiles in self-defense was a first for the French Navy.
Western navies on patrol
Faced with Houthi attacks, the United States set up a multinational maritime protection force in the Red Sea in December, called "Prosperity Guardian", while the European Union announced on Monday the official launch of a similar mission, planned for one year and possibly renewable.
It will be able to fire to defend merchant ships or defend itself, but will not be able to target objectives on land against Houthi rebel positions in Yemen, according to diplomats.
Several countries have expressed their intention to participate, notably Belgium, Italy, Germany and France.
Spain has indicated that it will not participate.
Read alsoAttacks in the Red Sea: facing the Houthi rebels, the Western strategy of “deterrence by punishment”
A European military source explained Monday that the mission would provide “support, surveillance and possibly protection” in the area, with Greece in command of the operation (strategic level) and Italy in command of the force (tactical level).
“We are at the political declaration stage.
Member countries will be able to send their contributions.
This declaration was needed to launch the operation,” said this source, adding that Europe was not starting “from scratch” in the region since several vessels are already deployed there.