France’s navy has escorted about 10 ships through the contested Bab Al-Mandeb Strait off the coast of Yemen over the past week, French army spokesperson Col. Xavier Rival said Thursday.
Col. Rival said the escorts are part of the European Union’s broader effort to protect shipping in the Red Sea under Operation Aspides, which launched in early 2024.
Unlike the U.S.’ naval blockade of Iran, which has helped escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, the EU operation is not authorized to return fire if attacked by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
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France has committed at least two frigates and two minehunter vessels to the Red Sea, but Italy and Greece are the main ship contributors to the operation.
The escort missions come as the Houthis continue to threaten Saudi-linked commercial vessels in the Red Sea. The Iran-backed rebel group, which controls much of western Yemen, announced an embargo on Saudi Arabia in July and has attacked ships and oil infrastructure with missiles and drones.
French participation in escort missions could hint at more French military involvement in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. French President Emmanuel Macron said recently that his country would send troops and defensive systems to protect the Red Sea port of Yanbu.
However, he stopped short of providing details on what systems and how many troops France intends to send to Yanbu. Mr. Macron described the pending operation as purely defensive and not indicative of France getting involved in a conflict.
Col. Rival said Thursday that the French government is involved in talks with Saudi Arabia to discuss requirements for a possible military mission.
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