Houthi Drone Shot Down in Red Sea by Italian Warship

On Saturday, the Italian Navy's Caio Duilio destroyed a drone over the Red Sea, acting in defense under the European Union's new naval operations in that region.

The unmanned aerial vehicle, bearing resemblance to those previously deployed by the Iranian-supported Houthi faction, was identified moving towards the Caio Duilio from a distance of about 6 kilometers.

The warship is presently on assignment in the vicinity with the mission of safeguarding navigational freedom and defending Italian interests against Houthi aggression. This role was recently assumed from the Federico Martinengo, an Italian frigate that had been active in the area since the end of December.

Defense Minister Guido Crosetto remarked, "The Houthi terrorist attacks represent a significant breach of international law and pose a threat to the security of maritime routes critical to our economy. These assaults are indicative of a hybrid warfare strategy, employing a variety of tactics, not solely military, to damage certain nations while favoring others."

Last month saw the initiation of OPERATION ASPIDES by the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR). This defensive mission by the EU is designed to shield shipping from Houthi threats in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, with contributions from Greece, France, and Germany.

Italy has now aligned with the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, whose naval forces have all successfully intercepted drones or missiles launched by the Houthis. Despite these concerted international naval efforts, the Houthis persist in their maritime attacks, including a recent assault on an MSC containership on Monday.