Overview
- Italy announced on Thursday that it will unilaterally escort Italian merchant ships through the Bab al‑Mandab strait and has already begun operations.
- An Italian frigate, Carlo Bergamini, escorted the merchant vessel Jolly Oro through the channel in a mission the navy described as completed without incident.
- The decision follows a rapid Huthi offensive that seized Yemen’s west coast and nearby islands, giving the militia near‑unrestricted access to the strait and raising the threat to commercial traffic.
- Rome said it informed shipowners, is using regional logistics including a Djibouti support base, and will review whether parliamentary rules on rules of engagement need changing for further action.
- The move heightens pressure on the EU mission Eunavfor Aspides and could force trade rerouting if the strait is closed, with the United States and EU continuing parallel military and diplomatic efforts to protect shipping.