A French frigate patrolling the Red Sea shot down two drones coming from the north of Yemen, an area under the control of the Houthi rebels, on the night of Saturday 9 to Sunday 10 December 2023 , which threaten to disrupt traffic on this strategic sea route between Israel and Hamas as part of the conflict.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces announced in a press release that the multi-purpose frigate Languedoc, operating in the Red Sea, shot down these drones that were heading towards it.
“Intercepting and destroying these two identified threats” Occurred on Saturday night, 110 kilometers from the Yemeni coast, near Hodeida, a port in northern Yemen that is under the control of the Houthi rebels.
On Saturday he threatened to attack any ship in the Red Sea that was heading towards Israel if the population in the Gaza Strip did not receive emergency aid.
In a statement posted on social media ahead of the French announcement, the Houthis said they had done so “would prevent the passage of ships heading towards the Zionist entity” if the residents of the Palestinian territory, bombed by Israel for two months, would no longer receive humanitarian aid such as food and medicine.
Hamas, member of what she calls “the axis of resistance” against Israel, along with the Lebanese Hezbollah and the Houthis, welcomed the decision “courageous and courageous” Yemeni rebels.
“We call on Arab and Muslim countries to use all their options to lift the siege of Gaza, based on their historical responsibilities and in a spirit of chivalry.”Hamas added in this press release sent to AFP.
“Naval Headquarters”
This latest warning from the Houthis comes amid rising tensions in the Red Sea since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, which was triggered on October 7 after a deadly attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement on Israeli soil.
In retaliation, Israel bombed the Gaza Strip, which it has besieged since October 9th. Humanitarian aid is pouring in and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is talking about it “Nightmarish humanitarian context”.
But regardless of the flag under which the ships sail or the nationality of their owners or operators, they are bound for Israel “Will become a legitimate target for our armed forces”the Houthis appreciate.
All the “Ships that are connected to Israel or will transport goods” to Israel are not welcome in the Red Sea, a strategic area between northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, they added.
On the Israeli side, the head of the National Security Council, Tzachi Hanegbi, retired “Naval Headquarters”. “If the world does not take care of this because it is an international problem, we will act to end this maritime siege.”he warned.
Last week, the Houthis attacked two ships off the Yemeni coast, including a Bahamian-flagged vessel, claiming they belonged to Israelis.
An American destroyer shot down three drones last week while providing aid to merchant ships in the Red Sea that were the target of attacks from Yemen, Washington denounced “a direct threat” for maritime safety.
On November 19, the Houthis seized the merchant ship Galaxy Leader, owned by a British company owned by an Israeli businessman.
The Houthis also launched a series of drones and missiles towards Israel. Many devices were intercepted by Israeli or American warships.