Italy's Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto, spoke on Friday about the necessity of strengthening naval presence in the Red Sea and stressed the importance of protecting commercial shipping in the region. This request has been made in light of concerns over the unsafe situation in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and recent developments in the Middle East.
Security Developments in the Red Sea
In recent weeks, the Iran-backed Houthi group from Yemen has made faster advances along the shores of the Red Sea. These security developments have complicated shipping routes in the region and raised concerns regarding the Strait of Hormuz. The Bab al-Mandab Strait, recognized as one of the most important maritime routes in the world, is about 18 miles (29 kilometers) wide at its narrowest point and facilitates the transport of goods and resources from Asia to Europe via the Suez Canal.
Read more: Yemenis Turned to the Sea to Escape War
Italy's Actions Against Threats
Italy, as part of the European Union's Operation Irini, which was launched in 2024 to protect shipping from Houthi attacks, has announced that it is preparing a naval mission in the region. The Italian Defense Minister stated that his country cannot wait for the EU's response to this new crisis. He also added, "After what I said, there has been a change within Irini, but we need a larger fleet."
Crosetto also pointed out that Italy and Greece are genuinely supporting security efforts in the region. He refrained from specifying the number of ships needed to ensure security in this area.
According to data from analytical companies, the volume of oil passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait accounted for nearly 7 percent of global oil production in June. According to the President of the Italian Shipowners' Association, Stefano Messina, about 40 percent of Italy's trade with other parts of the world is conducted through the Suez Canal.
On Thursday, the Italian Defense Minister stated that Rome has decided to act with its fleet, as it does not want its response to be affected by what he termed "European bureaucracy." He warned that delays in response could worsen the situation.
Messina, the President of the Italian Shipowners' Association, reacted positively to Crosetto's plan, stating that this action aligns with the demands of shipowners. He noted that the Italian Navy, which has also shown high levels of experience and readiness in this regard, will be capable of operations while awaiting EU decisions regarding Operation Irini.
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