ROME — Italy is preparing to deploy naval forces to protect the passage of Italian commercial vessels through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, as security conditions around the key Red Sea shipping route deteriorate following advances by Yemen’s Ansarallah movement, also known as the Houthis.
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said Rome would not wait for a broader European Union decision before taking steps to protect Italian merchant shipping. He said Italy has the naval capabilities needed to support the safe passage of its vessels and that delays could further affect the country’s economy.
Crosetto said the Italian government would assess what action is required together with the government and Parliament. He stressed that any deployment would be intended to protect merchant vessels and restore commercial shipping through the strait.
Bab al-Mandeb Shipping Route
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and provides a major maritime route between Europe and Asia. The narrow waterway is about 30 kilometers wide at its narrowest point and is a southern gateway to the Suez Canal. Historically, around 12% to 15% of global trade has passed through the area.
The security situation has changed significantly following recent advances by Ansarallah along Yemen’s western Red Sea coast. The group has captured areas including the port of Mocha and strategically located islands, including Perim, also known as Mayyun, in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. These territorial gains have increased its ability to influence maritime traffic in the area.
The Italian Navy has already conducted an escort operation in the region. The frigate Carlo Bergamini, operating as part of the EU’s Operation Aspides, escorted the Italian merchant vessel Jolly Oro, owned by Ignazio Messina & C., during its northbound passage through Bab al-Mandeb. The Italian Navy said the operation was part of Aspides’ assigned tasks.
Italian officials have indicated that the focus is on protecting commercial vessels rather than conducting offensive operations. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the Italian ships involved would operate within the defensive framework of Operation Aspides.
Saudi Oil Supply Disruptions
The shipping concerns come as Saudi Arabia faces disruption to another important route for exporting crude oil to the Red Sea.
Saudi Aramco has informed at least two European refining customers that they will receive no Saudi crude deliveries next month, according to a Bloomberg report cited by Reuters. The decision follows attacks that damaged the kingdom’s East-West Pipeline, which connects oil-producing areas in eastern Saudi Arabia with the Red Sea port of Yanbu.
The approximately 1,200-kilometer pipeline is an important alternative route for moving Saudi crude toward the Red Sea without using the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi authorities shut the pipeline after drone attacks damaged several pumping stations.
Saudi Arabia has been working to restore the pipeline. Reports indicate that part of its capacity could return within days, while restoring full operations could take several weeks. European refiners affected by the disruption have begun looking for alternative crude supplies.
Italy's Economic Concerns
The developments in Bab al-Mandeb are particularly important for Italy because a significant share of its trade uses the Suez Canal route. Reuters reported that about 40% of Italy’s trade passes through the canal.
Italy’s planned naval response therefore focuses on maintaining access for its commercial vessels while the security situation around the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb remains uncertain. The government has not yet specified the final number of warships that would be deployed.
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