The patrols are being carried out in coordination with Operation Guardian of Prosperity, France’s naval commander in the region said, but clarified that the command of French forces remains entirely under the control of Paris.
French naval forces escort vessels of French interests in the Red Sea region, the country’s top naval commander in the region said today, adding that Paris’ current order does not include direct strikes on the Houthis.
The Iranian-backed Houthis, who control most of Yemen, are targeting shipping lanes in the Red Sea to show their support for the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which is fighting Israel in Gaza.
Speaking to reporters, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Slaard, joint commander of French forces in the region, said France was working closely with the US-led Prosperity Guardian mission in the region by sharing information and conducting patrols, but clarified that the administration of French forces remains entirely under the control of Paris.
“The French operation consists on the one hand of patrolling the maritime zones where the Houthis are operating in order to stop them,” Slaar said. “These patrols are done in coordination with the Welfare Guardian operation,” he said.
“On the other hand, we regularly escort ships flying the French flag or of French interests in the Red Sea. We accompany them throughout their passage.”
Slaar, who also heads the nine-nation EU mission operating in the Strait of Hormuz, said there is always a need for more military assets in the region, although France does not intend to deploy more for now.
He said international military operations were producing results and that 80 percent of container ship traffic still passed through the Bab al-Madeb Strait between Yemen and Djibouti.
Source :Skai
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