French Frigate's Drone Shoot-Down in Red Sea Deemed Self-Defense by France
France declared that a French warship's engagement of two drones in the Red Sea, resulting in their destruction, was an act of self-defense. This assertion came from the French Foreign Ministry following the incident where the Languedoc frigate, near Yemen's coast, fired upon the approaching drones.
The action took place amidst threats from the Houthi group to target ships bound for Israeli ports, demanding that besieged Gaza receive food and medical supplies. The ministry characterized the drone activity as an attack, justifying the response as necessary defense amid rising attacks on maritime freedom in the region. It called on the Houthis to cease targeting civilians and impeding movement.
The ministry is closely monitoring the situation and encourages all parties to prevent regional escalation. The frigate's engagement, employing Aster 15 surface-to-air missiles, marked the French navy's first use of such missiles in self-defense.
Tensions in the Red Sea have escalated following a series of Houthi maritime attacks since the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas on October 7. The Houthi group has now threatened to block any vessel heading to Israel, expanding the range of their targets. Hamas has expressed support for the Houthi's stance.
This incident was the first Houthi attempt against a French military ship since the conflict's onset, accompanying earlier actions where a U.S. destroyer intercepted drones attacking commercial ships in the region. The U.S. has condemned the actions as direct maritime security threats.
The ministry is closely monitoring the situation and encourages all parties to prevent regional escalation. The frigate's engagement, employing Aster 15 surface-to-air missiles, marked the French navy's first use of such missiles in self-defense.
Tensions in the Red Sea have escalated following a series of Houthi maritime attacks since the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hamas on October 7. The Houthi group has now threatened to block any vessel heading to Israel, expanding the range of their targets. Hamas has expressed support for the Houthi's stance.
This incident was the first Houthi attempt against a French military ship since the conflict's onset, accompanying earlier actions where a U.S. destroyer intercepted drones attacking commercial ships in the region. The U.S. has condemned the actions as direct maritime security threats.
Translation:
Translated by AI
