French Navy Downs Houthi Drones and Escorts CMA CGM Ship Through Red Sea

The French Navy on Tuesday shot down two drones launched from Yemen towards the Red Sea.

The French Navy has two frigates deployed in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Meanwhile, French shipping company CMA CGM said on Tuesday that one of its ships, the CMA CGM Jules Verne, transited the Red Sea under French naval escort after the company suspended transits through the region earlier this month due to the maritime security situation.

“In coordination with French naval forces, the CMA CGM Jules Verne transited the Red Sea without incident, escorted by the frigate Alsace,” CMA CGM said in a statement.

The news comes after the European Union on Monday announced the launch of a naval operation, known as EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, to protect freedom of navigation in the Red Sea against Houthi threats.

Operation ASPIDES will closely coordinate with EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, the EU’s ongoing counter-piracy operation off the Horn of Africa and western Indian Ocean.

“These actions contribute to maritime security, from the Suez Canal to the Strait of Hormuz, and participate in the defense of freedom of navigation, the objective of the EUNAVFOR ASPIDES operation launched by the European Union on February 19 under Greek command,” the French defense ministry said in a statement regarding the downing of the two drones.

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