Italy and Spain have released statements distancing themselves from Operation Prosperity Guardian, a defense coalition organized by the United States as a firm international response to Yemen’s Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping.
Italy’s defence ministry said it would send a ship to the Red Sea following requests from Italian shipowners and not as part of the US operation, France said it supports efforts to secure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea but that its ships would remain under French command.
On its part, Spain has said it will not join the task force and opposed using an existing EU anti-piracy mission, to protect Red Sea shipping, while Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he was willing to consider the creation of a different mission to tackle the problem.
Earlier, U.S defense secretary, Llyod Austin had stated that the task force is to product the corridor and ensure a free flow through a vital shipping chokepoint in Red Sea waters off Yemen.
The Iran-backed Houthis have attacked or seized a dozen ships with missiles and drones since November 19, trying to inflict an international cost over Israel’s campaign, which followed the October 7 rampage in southern Israel by Hamas militants that killed 1,200 people and took 240 hostages.
