The French Navy has successfully intercepted and shot down two aerial drones from Yemen over the Red Sea, where Houthi attacks have been targeting international commercial vessels. According to the French Ministry of the Armed Forces, the drones were destroyed during the night of February 19-20 in the Gulf of Aden and the southern Red Sea.
The operation by the French Navy aligns with the objective of the European Union’s naval mission, “ASPIDES,” which was launched to safeguard commercial and security interests in the Red Sea and Gulf regions. France has deployed the Alsace, a frigate with air defense capabilities, and the Languedoc, an anti-submarine frigate, in the zone.
The Houthi military has announced its intention to continue launching missile attacks against Israel-linked commercial vessels and Israel-bound ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. They have stated that they will only stop these attacks if Israel halts its aggression on the Palestinian enclave of the Gaza Strip.
The French Navy’s successful interception of the drones from Yemen underscores the ongoing tensions and security threats in the Red Sea and Gulf regions. With commercial and security interests at stake, the European Union and individual countries like France are taking proactive measures to safeguard vessels and mitigate the risk of further attacks. The situation remains fluid as tensions persist in the area, and international attention is focused on the evolving dynamics between the parties involved.
