Italian Defense: Warship Shoots Down Two Drones in the Red Sea

The Italian Ministry of Defense announced that "the Italian warship Caio Duilio, operating under the European Aspides mission, shot down two drones in the Red Sea in self-defense." The crew of Duilio had already neutralized a drone about 10 days ago, which was allegedly launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen, at which time the Italian ship was not part of the European mission designated to ensure maritime safety in the Red Sea, and Italy had been granted tactical command of this mission. For their part, Houthi representatives later indicated that "the Italians risk resorting to such actions against their operational activities," noting that Italian vessels had not yet become targets for the Houthis.