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Italy is preparing its naval forces to ensure the safety of its merchant ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait due to increasing tensions in the area, according to Defence Minister Guido Crosetto on September 17. The minister stated that delays in addressing maritime risks could negatively impact Italy's economy and citizens, emphasizing the need for prompt action to protect shipping lanes and undersea infrastructure from potential disruptions caused by conflicts involving Iran-aligned Houthis controlling parts of Yemen’s coast near strategic oil routes.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Italy is mobilizing its navy to protect merchant ships amid security concerns in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, following recent Houthi control over parts of Yemen's coast. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto stated that bureaucratic delays could have severe economic consequences for Italy and its citizens. The activation comes as fears rise over threats to Saudi oil exports rerouted from the Strait of Hormuz. While specific measures remain undisclosed, Crosetto emphasized the need for prompt action due to increasing maritime risks in the region.
Written for “Bab El Mandeb Tensions” on 2026-09-18,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The model judged this article politically coded and scored it -0.25, but 1 quote(s) could not be found in the article and the other 1 are attributed speech rather than the article's own narration, so the score is not published.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score withheld for article 16652: no verified evidence · logged 2026-09-17
Italy readies navy to protect its shipping amid Bab el-Mandeb tensions
ROME, Sept 17 -
asserted
Italy → ready → tensions
Italy is preparing for a possible naval mission to safeguard its merchant shipping as security concerns mount in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said on Thursday.
asserted
Crosetto → prepare → Thursday
Crosetto said he and Italy's chief of defence staff had agreed to mobilise the navy to prepare "whatever is necessary" to guarantee the secure transit of Italian vessels, arguing that delays in responding to mounting maritime risks could have direct consequences for the economy and consumers.
uncertain
delays → say → economy
Fears for shipping in the Red Sea have surged this month after the Iran-aligned Houthis seized control of parts of Yemen's coast that overlook the Bab el-Mandeb, threatening Saudi oil exports rerouted from the Strait of Hormuz.
"I have decided ... to activate the Italian navy to prepare what is necessary to guarantee the safe transit of Italian ships," Crosetto said in a statement.
asserted
Crosetto → surge → statement
"We cannot allow bureaucratic delays in decision-making to aggravate an already complex situation, with direct consequences for our economy and the lives of our citizens."
asserted
delays → allow → citizens
He did not spell out what measures were being considered or what naval assets might be sent to the area.
uncertain
assets → spell → area
Crosetto said that disruptions to major shipping lanes would drive up transport costs, delay deliveries and ultimately push higher prices onto families and businesses.
asserted
disruptions → say → families
"Every economic crisis hits the most vulnerable people hardest, putting social cohesion and the country's stability at risk," he said.
asserted
he → hit → risk
The defence minister also highlighted the vulnerability of undersea infrastructure, including data cables and energy links.
asserted
minister → highlight → cables
"For a major maritime nation such as Italy, monitoring and protecting the seas, both above and below the surface, means safeguarding its security, its prosperity and its future," he said.
asserted
he → monitor → security
"The defence ministry and the Italian navy will continue to protect the sea, intervening with determination whenever necessary to safeguard national interests and the security of Italians," he said.
asserted
he → continue → Italians
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