In a recent development, French Multi-Mission Frigates operating in the Gulf of Aden and the southern Red Sea successfully intercepted and destroyed two drones originating from Yemen during the night of 19th to 20th February, according to the French defense ministry.
The attacks occurred just a day after the European Union formally initiated a naval mission named Aspides, meaning “shield” in Greek, to safeguard Red Sea shipping from the Iran-backed Houthi rebels controlling significant parts of war-torn Yemen.
The Houthi rebels have been disrupting the crucial shipping lane since November, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
France has deployed the Alsace, a frigate equipped with air defense capabilities, and the Languedoc, an anti-submarine frigate, to the region. The Languedoc had previously engaged and destroyed two drones in the Red Sea in self-defense in December, as reported by the foreign ministry.
The European Union aims to operationalize the Aspides mission within a “few weeks,” deploying at least four vessels.
Meanwhile, the United States has been leading its own naval coalition in the area, conducting retaliatory strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, a move echoed by Britain.
The persistent Houthi attacks have disrupted shipping in the Red Sea, prompting some companies to opt for alternative routes, including a lengthy detour around southern Africa.
The situation escalated further on Monday evening, as the Houthis claimed responsibility for targeting three vessels within the previous 24 hours, including the British-registered Rubymar, the US-owned Sea Champion, and the Navis Fortuna, which they identified as “American.”
