In a major setback to a US-led maritime task force in the Red Sea to protect passage of Israeli-owned and Israel-bound merchant vessels, France, Spain, and Italy have officially withdrawn their participation from the alliance, reports Press TV.
The three nations have explicitly stated their commitment to operating exclusively under the command of international bodies such as the United Nations, NATO, or the European Union, choosing not to align with the United States.
The French Defense Ministry announced in a statement that it supported efforts to secure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and surrounding area and said it already operated in the region.
However, it said its ships would stay under French command and did not say if it would deploy more naval forces.
Italy’s Defense Ministry also said it would send naval frigate Virginio Fasan to the Red Sea to protect its national interests in response to specific requests made by Italian ship owners.
It said this was part of its existing operations, and was not part of the US-led naval coalition in the waterway.
Spain’s Defense Ministry said it would only participate in NATO-led missions or EU-coordinated operations.
“We will not participate unilaterally in the Red Sea operation,” it noted.
Earlier on Thursday, the Pentagon said more than 20 countries had now agreed to participate in the US-led maritime task in the Red Sea.
Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul
