PARIS: A French frigate reportedly intercepted and destroyed two drones in the Red Sea on Saturday, as confirmed by the French military.
The frigate involved, named Languedoc, operates in the Red Sea and successfully thwarted the identified threats originating from the coast of Yemen. The interceptions took place at 2030 GMT and 2230 GMT, approximately 110 km (68 miles) away from the Yemeni coast.
The incident occurred amidst rising tensions in the Red Sea region, with Yemen’s Houthi militia issuing a threat on Saturday. The Houthis warned of potential attacks on vessels heading to Israeli ports unless there is permission for the entry of food and medicine into the Gaza Strip.
The threat expands the scope of targets for the Houthis, who have previously attacked ships they claim to have direct links to Israel.
In response to the heightened maritime tensions, an American destroyer had reportedly shot down three drones the previous week while providing assistance to commercial ships in the Red Sea that were under attack from Yemen. The interception by the French frigate adds to the series of maritime incidents in the region, which have intensified since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7.
The French military emphasized that the interception and destruction of the drones were carried out in response to identified threats. The specific details of the drones’ origin and their intended targets were not disclosed in the press release issued by the general staff.
The situation in the Red Sea continues to be a cause for concern, with various regional actors involved and ongoing geopolitical complexities. The interception by the French frigate underscores the challenges and risks posed by such incidents in the strategically significant waterway.
