PARIS: France, Italy, and Spain stood out by not taking part in U.S. and British attacks against the Houthi group in Yemen and not inking a statement put out by ten countries justifying the strikes.
The disagreement highlights divisions in the EU over how to deal with Houthis, who have been targeting ships in the Red Sea for several weeks in what the group says is a protest against Israel’s military offensive in Gaza. U.S. and British ships, warplanes, and submarines launched dozens of strikes across Yemen overnight.
Europe Split Over US, UK Attacks on Houthis in Yemen
The Netherlands, Canada and Australia provided logistical and intelligence help for the operation; U.S. officials claimed.
In addition, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand and South Korea inked a joint statement with these six countries defending the overnight assaults and warning of further action to protect the free flow of Red Sea trade if the group did not back down.
A source in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office disclosed Italy had refused to sign the statement and as a result was not asked to participate in the strikes.
ALSO READ: Yemen: US Launches New Attacks Against Houthis
Some sources suggest that Italy had been asked to take part in strikes but declined for two reasons — firstly because any Italian participation would have required parliamentary approval, which would have taken time, and secondly because Italy preferred to follow a “calming” policy in the Red Sea.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a French official stated that France feared that by joining the U.S.-led attacks, it would have lost any influence, it had in talks to resolve tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
Asked whether France declined to participate, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said he would not elaborate on diplomatic talks.
Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles stated that her country had not joined the military strikes in the Red Sea as it wanted to promote peace in the region. Spain, Italy, and France did not ink the mission, unwilling to put their naval ships under U.S. command.
The Spanish defence minister said on Friday that the European Union might soon decide on a new initiative.
