ROME: An Italian warship shot down two drones in the Red Sea as part of a European operation against attacks on shipping by Yemen’s Houthis, the defense ministry said Tuesday.
This marks the first time Italy has publicly announced such an operation since receiving parliamentary approval for its participation in the Aspides mission just last week. The Ministry of Defense issued a statement confirming the incident, stating, “As part of the European Union operation Aspides, the Caio Duilio shot down two aerial drones in self-defense.”
Under the operational command of Italy, the Aspides mission—named after the Greek word for shield—was launched by the EU in the preceding month with the primary objective of safeguarding international shipping routes.
Since November, the Houthi group have been conducting attacks on vessels navigating the Red Sea. These actions are carried out in solidarity with Palestinians amidst the conflict between Israel and Palestinian resistance group Hamas in Gaza.
