UPDATED: Italy not asked to take part in Yemen strikes

Italy was not asked to take part in US-led air strikes against Houthi rebel bases in Yemen amid the rebels’ attacks on Red Sea shipping, sources at the premier’s office at Palazzo Chigi said Friday.

Rome was asked to subscribe to the joint declaration with the United States, the United Kingdom and other allied countries, which the Rome government did not sign, but was not asked to participate in the bombing in Yemen, the sources said.

“We are working to keep the tension in the Red Sea low and we are committed to the European coalition to guarantee free circulation of ships in the area,” the sources added.

Earlier, sources quoted by Reuters said that Italy declined to take part in U.S. and British strikes overnight against the Houthi group in Yemen, explaining that Rome preferred to pursue a “calming” policy in the Red Sea.

The source, who did not want to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, also said the government would have needed parliamentary backing to take part in any military action, making swift approval impossible.

The United States and Britain struck multiple targets in Yemen from the air and the sea, while the Netherlands, Australia, Canada and Bahrain provided logistical and intelligence support, U.S. officials have said.

The overnight strikes were a response to repeated Houthi attackson shipping in the Red Sea – one of the world’s busiest trade lanes. The group, which is backed by Iran, says its attacks were a sign of solidarity with Hamas.

Earlier this week, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto told Reuters that the Houthi attacks had to be stopped without triggering a new war in the region.

The United States and other countries last month launched Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect civilian vessels in the busy Red Sea.

Italy announced in December it would send a naval vessel to the area following requests for back-up from ship owners, but it did not sign up to the U.S.-led mission, with other EU allies also appearing to distance themselves from the initiative.

Crosetto said Italy would have needed parliamentary approval for its involvement in a new international naval mission, complicating any eventual adherence.