Italy has sided with our enemies - Houthis

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 12 - The shooting down by the Italian Navy's Duilio destroyer of two more Houthi air drones in the Red Sea is "a new confirmation that Italy has sided with our enemies and in defence of Israel", Abdennaser Mahamed of the media department of the presidency of the Houthi Republic of in Sanaa, told ANSA on Tuesday.
    "Italy is not our direct target for the moment," he added.
    On Tuesday the Italian defence ministry said the Duilio had shot down two drones as part of its involvement in the EU Aspides mission to protect shipping in the Red Sea from attacks by the Yemeni-based Houthi rebels.
    The drones were taken out "in implementation of the principle of self-defence", it added.
    The same ship took out another drone in the Red Sea 10 days ago before it was formally engaged in the Aspides mission.
    On that occasion, the Houthis warned Italy that if it gets in the way of their operations they will have no choice but to attack.
    "It is a shame that Italy shot down one of our drones. We will act accordingly," Zayd al-Gharsi, director of the media department of the presidency of the Houthi Republic of Sanaa, told ANSA.
    "We do not attack Italy per se, but if it gets in the way of our action it leaves us no other choice," he added.
    "For us, Italy is a friendly country" and "we have not made war on Italy or other European countries", continued the spokesperson.
    "Our fight is for the defence of the Palestinians," said al-Gharsi, adding that "our drones and weapons are aimed at Israel and those who defend Israel in front of our shores".
    Last Tuesday the Lower House approved Italy's involvement in three new international missions including the EU's Aspides mission to shield Red Sea shipping from the Houthi attacks that started after Israel began its war against Hamas in Gaza following the October 7 massacres.
    Before the vote, Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the drone attack that the Italian Navy warship neutralized on March 2 showed the seriousness of the threat posed by the rebels. (ANSA).