From the Liveblog of
Friday, January 12, 2024
Italy, Spain and France sit out of US, UK strikes on Houthis, highlighting EU divisions
Italy, Spain and France have stood out by not taking part in US and British strikes against the Houthi group in Yemen and not even signing up to a statement put out by 10 countries justifying the attack.
The divergence highlights divisions in the West over how to deal with the Iranian-backed Houthis, who have been targeting civilian ships in the Red Sea for weeks in what they say is a protest against Israel’s military campaign against the Hamas terror group in Gaza.
The Netherlands, Australia, Canada and Bahrain provided logistical and intelligence support for the operation, US officials have said.
In addition, Germany, Denmark, New Zealand and South Korea signed a joint statement with these six nations defending the overnight attacks and warning of further action to protect the free flow of Red Sea trade if the Houthis did not back down.
A source in Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office says Italy had declined to sign the statement, and as a result, was not asked to participate in the attack against the Houthis.
However, a government source says Italy had been asked to take part, but declined for two reasons — firstly because any Italian involvement would have needed parliamentary approval, which would have taken time, and secondly because Rome preferred to pursue a “calming” policy in the Red Sea.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a French official says Paris feared that by joining the US-led strikes, it would have lost any leverage it had in talks to defuse tensions between Hezbollah and Israel. France has focused much of its diplomacy in recent weeks on avoiding an escalation in Lebanon.
Signaling possible tacit support for the US action, the French foreign affairs ministry issues a statement saying the Houthis bore responsibility for the escalation.
However, a diplomat who is aware of France’s position says Paris did not believe the attack could be deemed legitimate self-defense.
Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles says Madrid had not joined the military action in the Red Sea because it wanted to promote peace in the region.
“Every country has to give explanations for its actions. Spain will always be committed to peace and dialogue,” she tells reporters in Madrid.
Earlier this week, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto made clear his reluctance to target the Houthis, telling Reuters that their aggression had to be stopped without triggering a new war in the region.
