• 2 min de lectura
• 2 min de lectura
Italy is preparing for a potential naval mission aimed at safeguarding its merchant navy as security concerns rise in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, reported Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto.
Crosetto stated that, in coordination with the Chief of the Defense Staff, he agreed to mobilize the military navy to prepare "whatever is necessary" to ensure the safe transit of Italian vessels, arguing that any delay in responding to growing maritime risks could have direct consequences for the economy and consumers.
Fear for navigation safety in the Red Sea has soared this month after the Iran-aligned Houthis took control of sectors of the Yemeni coast overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb strait, threatening Saudi oil exports redirected from the Strait of Hormuz.
"I have decided to activate the Italian military navy to prepare what is necessary to ensure the safe passage of Italian ships," Crosetto declared in a statement.
"We cannot allow bureaucratic delays in decision-making to worsen an already complex situation, with direct consequences for our economy and the lives of our citizens."
The minister did not detail what specific measures are under consideration or what naval units might be deployed in the area.
Crosetto affirmed that disruptions in major shipping routes will raise transportation costs, delay deliveries, and ultimately pass higher prices on to families and businesses.
"Every economic crisis hits the most vulnerable people harder, jeopardizing social cohesion and the country's stability," the Italian authority noted.
Italy's Defense Minister also highlighted the vulnerability of underwater infrastructure, including data cables and energy interconnections.
"For a great maritime nation like Italy, monitoring and protecting the seas, both on the surface and underwater, means safeguarding its security, its prosperity, and its future," Crosetto stated.
"The Ministry of Defense and the Italian navy will continue to protect the sea, intervening with determination whenever necessary to safeguard national interests and the security of Italians," he concluded.
