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©(Jack GUEZ, AFP)
The French Navy announced on Thursday, February 22, that it had downed two drones in the Red Sea. This comes shortly after a missile hit a merchant ship off the coast of Yemen.
The French Navy destroyed two new drones originating from Yemen in Red Sea waters on Wednesday night, the Armed Forces General Staff announced at a press briefing on Thursday.
Having already announced the destruction of two drones in the area on Tuesday, the French armed forces announced that a French multi-mission frigate had "detected the same type of threat, engaged, and destroyed two drones" during the night.
France deployed the multi-mission frigate (FREMM) Alsace to the region on January 20, joining the FREMM Languedoc, which arrived on December 8, 2023, according to the ministry.
On December 10, another French frigate had to fire Aster 15 anti-aircraft missiles to shoot down two drones heading straight for her. Such a self-defense ground-to-air missile strike was a first for the French Navy.
This new development was unveiled shortly after a missile attack targeted a vessel transiting the Gulf of Aden on Thursday, causing a fire on board, two maritime agencies said, making it the latest in a flurry of strikes disrupting global shipping.
"A vessel was attacked by two missiles, resulting in a fire onboard," the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said, adding that "coalition forces are responding."
Security firm Ambrey also reported a fire aboard a Palau-flagged, British-owned general cargo ship following two missile strikes southeast of Yemen's Aden.
The ship "appeared to be headed from Map Ta Phut, Thailand, and headed in the direction of the Red Sea," Ambrey said.
"Merchant shipping is advised to stay clear of the vessel and proceed with caution," it added.
There was no immediate claim for the attack, but it follows a series of strikes on commercial vessels by Iran-backed Houthis.
The strikes have prompted some shipping companies to detour around southern Africa to avoid the Red Sea, which normally carries about 12 percent of global maritime trade.
The UN Conference on Trade and Development warned late last month that the volume of commercial traffic passing through the Suez Canal had fallen more than 40 percent in the previous two months.
In response to Houthi attacks, the United States set up a multinational maritime protection force in the Red Sea in December, dubbed "Prosperity Guardian," while the European Union announced on Monday the official launch of a similar mission, planned for one year and possibly renewable.
It will be able to fire in defense of merchant vessels or defend itself, but will not be able to target land-based targets against Houthi positions in Yemen, according to diplomats.
Several countries have indicated their intention to participate, including Belgium, Italy, Germany, and France. Spain has indicated that it will not be participating.
A European military source told AFP on Monday that the mission would provide "accompaniment, surveillance, and possibly protection" in the area.
With AFP
The French Navy destroyed two new drones originating from Yemen in Red Sea waters on Wednesday night, the Armed Forces General Staff announced at a press briefing on Thursday.
Having already announced the destruction of two drones in the area on Tuesday, the French armed forces announced that a French multi-mission frigate had "detected the same type of threat, engaged, and destroyed two drones" during the night.
France deployed the multi-mission frigate (FREMM) Alsace to the region on January 20, joining the FREMM Languedoc, which arrived on December 8, 2023, according to the ministry.
On December 10, another French frigate had to fire Aster 15 anti-aircraft missiles to shoot down two drones heading straight for her. Such a self-defense ground-to-air missile strike was a first for the French Navy.
New Strike on a Merchant Ship
This new development was unveiled shortly after a missile attack targeted a vessel transiting the Gulf of Aden on Thursday, causing a fire on board, two maritime agencies said, making it the latest in a flurry of strikes disrupting global shipping.
"A vessel was attacked by two missiles, resulting in a fire onboard," the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said, adding that "coalition forces are responding."
Security firm Ambrey also reported a fire aboard a Palau-flagged, British-owned general cargo ship following two missile strikes southeast of Yemen's Aden.
The ship "appeared to be headed from Map Ta Phut, Thailand, and headed in the direction of the Red Sea," Ambrey said.
"Merchant shipping is advised to stay clear of the vessel and proceed with caution," it added.
There was no immediate claim for the attack, but it follows a series of strikes on commercial vessels by Iran-backed Houthis.
The strikes have prompted some shipping companies to detour around southern Africa to avoid the Red Sea, which normally carries about 12 percent of global maritime trade.
The UN Conference on Trade and Development warned late last month that the volume of commercial traffic passing through the Suez Canal had fallen more than 40 percent in the previous two months.
Launch of the UN Mission
In response to Houthi attacks, the United States set up a multinational maritime protection force in the Red Sea in December, dubbed "Prosperity Guardian," while the European Union announced on Monday the official launch of a similar mission, planned for one year and possibly renewable.
It will be able to fire in defense of merchant vessels or defend itself, but will not be able to target land-based targets against Houthi positions in Yemen, according to diplomats.
Several countries have indicated their intention to participate, including Belgium, Italy, Germany, and France. Spain has indicated that it will not be participating.
A European military source told AFP on Monday that the mission would provide "accompaniment, surveillance, and possibly protection" in the area.
With AFP
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