Italy reorganizes the contingents in the Gulf after the Houthi attack in Ta'if

The Italian contingents in the Gulf will be reorganized following the escalation of Houthi attacks in recent days. This is the focus of the meeting held on 21 September at Palazzo Chigi dedicated to the Strait of Bab el Mandeb and the need to guarantee the safe passage of merchant traffic, after the attack on the Saudi base in Ta'if with the destruction of an Italian fighter. The decision could also lead to a "movement of soldiers" towards safer territories. "Assessments are underway, with the main focus on the security of the contingents, on the national presence in the area", declared the Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto, present at the meeting together with the undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council Alfredo Mantovano and the leaders of the Armed Forces and intelligence. "As also made known by the Houthi spokesperson, there was no desire to strike an Italian asset", added the Defense Minister, underlining that "for all assets and in particular for the air ones, measures have been adopted to increase their security conditions".

Crosetto: "Operational activities ensured"

Crosetto then reiterated that "the continuity of operational activities will be ensured in compliance with the international commitments undertaken with participation in Inherent Resolve and the protection of our staff". It is therefore not excluded that the soldiers move within Saudi territory itself, as required by the rules that allow Italian soldiers to be redeployed at any time.

The meeting at Palazzo Chigi

As reiterated by the Minister of Defense, it is also necessary to defend the Red Sea and the safe passage of Italian merchant ships. For this reason, among the topics addressed during the meeting, also that relating to the situation of the Strait of Babel el-Mandeb, after the declarations of the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Kaja Kallas, on the strengthening of the Aspides mission. Italy has said it is ready to possibly provide further contributions, in addition to the Bergamini frigate, already used in the mission, as long as there is financial support from the various member states proportionate to the further commitment. As they reiterated from Palazzo Chigi, the priority is the "safety of our contingents".