Italian navy ship downs two drones in the Red Sea

An Italian military vessel serving in the European Union’s naval mission in the Red Sea has shot down two drones, Italy’s Defense Staff said on Tuesday.

In a statement, it described the incidents involving the Italian Navy’s “Caio Duilio” destroyer as acts of self-defense, without elaborating. The same ship had shot down another drone earlier this month.

The EU’s mission in the Red Sea, dubbed Aspides, was launched in February to help protect the key maritime trade route from drone and missile attacks by Yemen’s Houthi militia, who say they are retaliating against Israel’s war on Gaza.

Italy has supplied the admiral in command of Aspides, which means “protector” in ancient Greek.