Italy refused to join US-UK strikes: Government source
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The decision is attributed to Italy's inclination for a "calming" approach in the Red Sea.
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Members of the Yemeni Coast Guard patrol the Red Sea (AFP)
Italy opted not to participate in the recent US-UK strikes on alleged Ansar Allah targets in Yemen, an anonymous government source revealed, citing the preference for a "calming" approach in the Red Sea as the reason for Italy's decision.
The source further noted that the government would have required parliamentary approval to engage in any military action, rendering swift authorization unattainable. Meanwhile, according to US officials, logistical and intelligence assistance for the strikes was offered by the Netherlands, Australia, Canada, and Bahrain.
Later, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the US informed Italy of the airstrikes on alleged Ansar Allah targets in Yemen a few hours before the attack.
"We were informed about the attacks this night several hours in advance, but we cannot send troops and take part in military operations without discussion in the parliament since the constitution does not allow this," Tajani was quoted as saying by Il Sole 24 Ore newspaper.
This comes shortly after US Air Forces Central stated in a press release that airstrikes in Yemen targeted over 60 sites associated with the Ansar Allah movement across 16 locations.
"At the direction of US Central Command, US Air Forces Central, CENTCOM’s Joint and Combined Air Component Command, executed deliberate strikes on over 60 targets at 16 Iranian-backed Houthi militant locations, including command and control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities, and air defense radar systems," the release said late Thursday night.
Nations, Resistance factions condemn aggression against Yemen
Simultaneously, several regional countries and parties condemned the savage US-UK overnight aggression against Yemen, targeting more than 60 sites and using more than 100 precision-guided munitions.
Iran vehemently condemned the US-UK aggression against Yemen, describing it as an "arbitrary attack" that stands as a clear violation of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as international laws.
Hezbollah strongly condemned “the savage American-British aggression against the brotherly nation of Yemen, its security and sovereignty, and its free and honorable people,” saying Yemen stood strong, courageously, and with utmost responsibility by the Palestinian people and their valiant Resistance and did their utmost to break the siege imposed on Yemen by all means available.
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad condemned the American and British aggression on Yemen and the negligent stances of Arab regimes, framing the aggression as being part of the military umbrella provided by Western colonial powers to safeguard their military outpost in occupied Palestine.
Likewise, Hamas condemned the US-UK aggression against Yemen, holding both countries responsible for repercussions on the security of the region.
In the same context, Saudi Arabia released a statement, today morning, calling for restraint and “avoiding escalation” in the region following the airstrikes launched by the United States and the United Kingdom on Yemen.
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