Italy to deploy navy to protect Italian shipping through Bab al-Mandab Strait

Italy will deploy naval forces to help ensure the safe passage of Italian vessels through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said on Thursday, amid heightened security concerns linked to renewed fighting in Yemen.

Speaking at a maritime forum, Crosetto said escalating clashes along Yemen’s western coast were disrupting navigation through Bab al-Mandab, a strategically important waterway connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

The defence minister said the renewed security concerns in Bab al-Mandab were adding to disruptions affecting the Strait of Hormuz and increasing the economic impact of wider regional tensions.

Crosetto said that, in coordination with Italy’s Chief of the Defence Staff, he had decided to mobilize the Italian Navy and take measures aimed at protecting Italian vessels transiting the strait.

Italy has the military capability to safeguard its ships through the waterway, he said, stressing the need for authorities to respond quickly to developments affecting maritime security.

“We cannot allow bureaucratic delays in decision-making to further complicate an already complex situation, nor to lead to direct repercussions for our economy and the lives of citizens,” Crosetto said.

He warned that disruption to major maritime routes can delay the delivery of goods and increase transportation costs, with the resulting price increases ultimately affecting households and businesses.

Bab al-Mandab is one of the world’s key maritime chokepoints, linking shipping routes between the Indian Ocean, Red Sea and Suez Canal. Disruptions in the area can force vessels to take significantly longer routes around Africa, increasing shipping times and costs.