Spain has blocked European Union participation in a US-led operation to protect commercial ships from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
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Earlier, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin announced the launch of the multinational Operation Guardian of Prosperity to protect the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden amid attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on merchant ships. Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said more than 20 countries had joined the US-led operation.
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Spain vetoed EU participation in a mission to ensure the safety of shipping in the Red Sea, despite the government hours earlier pushing for all-European participation in the operation.
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It is noted that Spain did not explain to its partners the reason for the change in position.
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The ruling Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement in northern Yemen, which controls most of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, previously warned of its intention to attack any ships linked to Israel, calling on other countries to recall their crews from them and not to approach them at sea. A number of shipping companies have decided to suspend transportation through the Red Sea. Energy companies BP and Equinor also announced a decision to suspend tanker transportation of petroleum products across the Red Sea.
