🔶 French Navy escorted 10 ships through the Bab al-Mandab

The French navy, over the past week, escorted about 10 ships from the disputed Bab al-Mandab strait near the Yemeni coasts.

Colonel Xavier Riol, a spokesperson for the French army, said on Thursday, October 1 (Mehr 9), that these escort operations are part of the EU’s broader effort to protect shipping in the Red Sea under Operation Aspides, which began in early 2024.

However, this European mission differs from the U.S. maritime blockade against Iran. While U.S. naval forces, in connection with this blockade, have escorted ships through the Strait of Hormuz, the EU operation is not allowed, in the event of an attack, to respond with reciprocal firing against the Houthi forces supported by Iran.

France has provided at least two frigates and two minehunters for this operation; although Italy and Greece are the main providers of vessels for the mission.