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.
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