The Italian parliament on Tuesday approved Italy's involvement in three new international missions regarding the Red Sea, Ukraine and Gaza with overwhelming support from all sides of the political spectrum.
Italy's participation in the EU's Aspides mission to protect shipping in the Red Sea from attacks by Yemeni-based Houthi rebels passed with 271 votes in favour and just six against in the House, and with 153 ayes and no nays in the Senate.
Before the vote, Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said a drone attack that an Italian Navy destroyer warship neutralized in the Red Sea at the weekend shows the seriousness of the threat posed by the Houthi rebels.
"Last Saturday the Caio Duilio destroyer shot down a drone launched by the Houthis in the Bab El Mandeb Strait," Tajani said.
"On behalf of the Government and, I am sure, of the entire Chamber, I would like to renew my deep gratitude to the crew of the Duilio ship and to all the Armed Forces for their constant, precious work.
"The attack on Duilio once again confirms the seriousness of the terrorist threat from the Houthis and the timeliness of the initiatives that the Government has decided to undertake".
Italy has a lead role in the EU Aspides mission to shield Red Sea shipping from the Houthi attacks that started after Israel began its war against Hamas in Gaza following the October 7 massacres.
The Lower House also gave the OK to Italy's participation in the "Euam Ukraine" mission to support Kyiv in reform of its civil security sector as part of its path towards joining in the EU, in particular in relation to reforms regarding democracy, human rights, the rule of law and justice, and the fight against corruption.
All six resolutions on this mission passed with just one vote against.
The House unanimously approved an Italian mission called 'Levante' which commits the government to take diplomatic action to bring about the delivery of material of a humanitarian nature to the Gaza Strip via "maritime corridors".
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