MADRID: Spain opposes utilizing the European Union’s anti-piracy naval drive Atalanta in a US-led coalition to protect Red Sea shipping from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez mentioned Wednesday (Dec 27).
However his authorities was “prepared and open” to the creation by the EU of one other drive to sort out the issue, Sanchez mentioned throughout his annual year-end information convention.
The Iran-backed Houthis have carried out several strikes on Red Sea shipping, in what they are saying is in assist of Palestinians throughout the Israel-Hamas warfare in Gaza.
Atalanta – which was arrange in 2008 and at present operates within the Indian Ocean with only one ship from Spain’s navy – doesn’t have “the traits” that are required to patrol the Crimson Sea to stop Huthi assaults, Sanchez mentioned.
“The state of affairs is totally distinct and the danger is totally different,” the Socialist premier added in his first public feedback on the difficulty.
Spain took over command of the European Union maritime mission from Britain in 2019, as London was making ready its exit from the European Union.
The operational headquarters of Atalanta had been additionally transferred to the Rota naval base in southern Spain.
Final week the Pentagon mentioned 20 international locations had joined a Washington-led coalition to guard the important thing Crimson Sea delivery lane.
Spain’s authorities has been ambivalent and on Sunday a spokesman for the defence ministry informed AFP that Spain “won’t take part”.
Whereas no motive was given, the Spanish press on Sunday mentioned the choice to not take part was pushed by home politics.
Sanchez’s Socialists govern in a minority coalition with hard-left social gathering Sumar, which typically opposes US international coverage.
