Yemen Monitor – Sana’a:
Italy would like a political decision made to create an EU maritime security mission for the Red Sea by next week so that it can become operational as soon as possible, its foreign minister has said.
EU member states gave initial backing yesterday to the mission to protect ships from attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi militia in the Red Sea.
A US-led mission is already operating in the region – the UK has joined.
The objective of EU states is to establish their mission by 19 February at the latest and make it operational soon afterwards.
It will be discussed by foreign ministers on 22 January.
Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani told reporters: “The idea is to have a European mission that can be operational as soon as possible.
“Then, certainly, decisions will be made, but the political decision for us must be taken by next Monday.”
