MADRID: Spain opposes utilizing the European Union’s anti-piracy naval drive Atalanta in a US-led coalition to guard Crimson Sea delivery from assaults 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 a number of strikes on Crimson Sea delivery, in what they are saying is in help of Palestinians throughout the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
Atalanta – which was arrange in 2008 and at the moment 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 forestall Huthi assaults, Sanchez mentioned.
“The scenario is totally distinct and the chance is completely 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 getting ready its exit from the European Union.
The operational headquarters of Atalanta have 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 instructed AFP that Spain “won’t take part”.
Whereas no cause 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 get together Sumar, which typically opposes US international coverage.
