Crosetto: Satisfied with the Parliament’s endorsement of the new missions

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto expressed his satisfaction with the Parliament’s approval of two new missions, Aspides and Levante, by a nearly unanimous vote.

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“Let me express my satisfaction for the Parliament endorsement which kicks off two  new operations: Aspides and Levante. With Aspides, Italy and the European Union responded cohesively to the Houti’s terrorist attacks that are jeopardizing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Bab Al Mandeb, in the Red Sea. The mission, a defensive one, will guarantee free transit of vessels along the Red Sea commercial routes, from which the Italian and European economy depend. That is why the European Union asked Italy to assume the tactical command of the mission, and we are ready to take responsibility for the important task assigned to Italy”, Minister Crosetto said in a declaration released while in Ankara, Turkey, on an institutional visit.

As important as Aspides, Mission Levante was underscored by Minister Crosetto as follows: “Let me say that I am greatly pleased for this new mission which provides for a military mechanism to be used to deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip. Italy confirms its will to help the Palestinian people, i.e. the victims of the terrorist actions perpetrated by Hamas”.

Furthermore, Minister Crosetto reiterated: ”Military missions must provide security but, above all, they must open a window of opportunity for diplomacy and peace.

Within mission Levante, the possible start of airdrop activities aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip is also being explored, together with the start of multinational initiative “Maritime Aid to Gaza”, aimed to open a maritime corridor allowing transport of humanitarian aid. Through the latter, Italy will continue to provide aid in the wake of activities already implemented by Navy Ship Vulcano and Air Force flights that carried Palestinian children to Italy to be treated at our best children’s hospitals, and declaring to be available to provide a field hospital as soon as conditions on the ground allow it. 

Aspides, as decided within a EU framework, will be a defensive operation aimed to guarantee presence, surveillance and security. It will focus on protecting vessels from attacks at sea, in compliance with international law, safeguard the freedom of navigation principle and provide direct support to our national interests.

Currently, Destroyer Caio Duilio is deployed in the Red Sea to provide maritime surveillance and protect merchant vessels, guaranteeing the security of commercial lanes. Having received the endorsement of the Parliament, Italy will assume the tactical command of the European mission, joined also by French, German and Greek naval units. The area of operations set up by EU mandate includes the maritime area between the Strait of Bab Al Mandeb and Strait of Hormuz, including the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf.