Italy, Spain And on Friday, France conspicuously did not join the US and UK offensive against the Houthis in Yemen, nor did it sign a statement issued by 10 countries justifying the attack. The disagreement underscored divisions in the West over how to deal with Iranian-backed Houthi targeting of civilian ships. Red Sea several weeks.
US and British warplanes, ships and submarines launched dozens of airstrikes across Yemen overnight. The Netherlands, Australia, Canada and Bahrain provided logistical and intelligence support for the operation, U.S. officials said. Additionally, Germany, Denmark, New Zealand and South Korea signed a joint statement with these six countries, defending the attack and warning of further action to protect the free flow of Red Sea trade if the Houthis do not back down. .
An official in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office said Italy had refused to sign the statement and was not asked to take part in the attack against the Houthis. However, government officials said Italy was approached to participate but declined for two reasons. First, Italian involvement would require parliamentary approval and would take time, and second, Rome wanted to pursue a policy of “pacification” of Italy. Red Sea.
A French official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Paris government was concerned that by joining the US-led attack, it would lose the leverage it had in negotiations to ease tensions between Hezbollah and Israel. . Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said Madrid did not take part in military action because it wanted to promote peace in the region. Differences in Western countries over how to deal with the Houthi threat come as the United States and many allies launched Operation Prosperity Guardian last month to protect civilian shipping in Red Sea shipping lanes. It surfaced. Italy, Spain, and France did not participate in this mission.Reuters
US and British warplanes, ships and submarines launched dozens of airstrikes across Yemen overnight. The Netherlands, Australia, Canada and Bahrain provided logistical and intelligence support for the operation, U.S. officials said. Additionally, Germany, Denmark, New Zealand and South Korea signed a joint statement with these six countries, defending the attack and warning of further action to protect the free flow of Red Sea trade if the Houthis do not back down. .
An official in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office said Italy had refused to sign the statement and was not asked to take part in the attack against the Houthis. However, government officials said Italy was approached to participate but declined for two reasons. First, Italian involvement would require parliamentary approval and would take time, and second, Rome wanted to pursue a policy of “pacification” of Italy. Red Sea.
A French official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Paris government was concerned that by joining the US-led attack, it would lose the leverage it had in negotiations to ease tensions between Hezbollah and Israel. . Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said Madrid did not take part in military action because it wanted to promote peace in the region. Differences in Western countries over how to deal with the Houthi threat come as the United States and many allies launched Operation Prosperity Guardian last month to protect civilian shipping in Red Sea shipping lanes. It surfaced. Italy, Spain, and France did not participate in this mission.Reuters