French Frigate Downed Red Sea Missile Approaching Belgian Mine Hunter
A French frigate, part of the force assigned to patrol the Red Sea region, recently downed a missile that was approaching a Belgian mine hunter. According to reports in the Belgian media, the mine hunter was transiting the region around the Bab el-Mendeb and the Houthi-held areas of Yemen when the missile was spotted.
The Belgian outlet De Morgen first reported the interception, and it has now been confirmed by the Belgian Ministry of Defense to the broadcaster VRT NWS. Exact details on the timing of the incident were not given, but the reports say it took place in mid-October.
The Primula, a Tripartite-class minehunter commissioned in 1990, was dispatched to the region as part of a potential European Union-led effort for the Strait of Hormuz. Belgian sources said the 51.5-meter (169-foot) vessel lacks modern anti-missile defense capabilities and was sailing with an unnamed French frigate.
Belgian sources are saying they think it was unlikely the Houthis were targeting the mine hunter. They are speculating it might have been a warning shot, a general show of force, or possibly an errant launch that was to have been directed at Saudi forces. The reports also said it appeared to have been a ballistic missile as opposed to an anti-ship missile.
The Houthis did not claim responsibility for targeting the ship. The French are reported to be investigating the incident.
This new report comes just about two weeks after the French outlet Le Monde broke the story that a drone had been shot down after menacing a CMA CGM containership making the transit. The Languedoc frigate reportedly was tracking the drone and decided to shoot it down when it approached the containership.
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The Houthis have been focusing their efforts on Saudi ground forces and positions in Saudi Arabia. The militants had promised not to target other shipping but have recently targeted tankers associated with Saudi Arabia.
The region has remained stable as more commercial ships return to the route. Analysts have warned, however, that the situation in the region remains unstable and the attacks could easily resume.
