A drone launched from Yemen and directed towards the Caio Duilio ship, the Navy destroyer which will be the base of the nascent European operation Aspides under the leadership of Rear Admiral Stefano Costantino.

The Houthis launch their first direct attack on Italy and risk precipitating the crisis in the Red Sea, which has been under attack for months by Yemeni rebels who, until now, had only carried out raids on US and British vessels. The Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, speaks of a "serious violation of international law" and an "attack on the safety of maritime traffic".

The Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, highlights the role of the Navy which, he writes, "defends the right to free navigation in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks".

For the first time since the worsening of the situation in the Middle East, Yemeni terrorists are targeting an Italian military vessel which, since February, has been stationed in the area to ensure safe navigation for merchant ships headed towards Suez. A drone, launched from Yemen, flew in the direction of Duilio, immediately triggering the alert on board and activating the self-defense systems. The aircraft was shot down 6 kilometers away from the vessel, thanks to equipment that can count on three cannons, two machine guns, an anti-aircraft missile system, two rocket launchers, two anti-submarine torpedo launchers and a helicopter.

(Unioneonline)

© Riproduzione riservata