World · Middle East · 7 hrs ago
French ship intercepts missile near Belgian minehunter Primula
A French escort ship shot down a ballistic missile near Belgian minehunter Primula on 14 October.
The incident took place near the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which links the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.
The Primula has been deployed south of the Arabian Peninsula since summer as it prepares for a possible mission in the Strait of Hormuz.
The minehunter cannot intercept missiles, so the French ship carried out the interception.
It is unclear whether the Primula was the target; some sources say the missile may have been a warning shot.
The area matters because Yemen's Houthi rebels regularly attack cargo ships there.
France has opened an investigation, while Belgium's navy and Defence Minister Theo Francken have not commented.
A French escort ship shot down a ballistic missile near the Belgian minehunter Primula on 14 October, according to reports citing anonymous sources.
The incident happened near the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which links the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.
The Primula is deployed south of the Arabian Peninsula and is preparing for a possible mission in the Strait of Hormuz.
The minehunter is not equipped to intercept missiles, so a French ship carried out the interception.
France has opened an investigation, and sources say there is no indication that the Primula was the missile’s intended target.
- Who
- A French escort ship intercepted the missile near the Belgian minehunter Primula.
- What
- A ballistic missile was shot down near the Primula.
- When
- 14 October, according to reports citing anonymous sources.
- Where
- Near the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.
- Why
- Not stated. Some sources said it may have been a warning shot and that the Primula may not have been the target.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Primula has been deployed south of the Arabian Peninsula and preparing for a possible mission in the Strait of Hormuz.
A French escort ship shot down a ballistic missile near the Primula, according to reports citing anonymous sources.
France opened an investigation.
- Ship
- Belgian minehunter Primula
- Interception date
- 14 October
- Weapon
- Ballistic missile
- Location
- Near the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait
- Intercepting vessel
- French escort ship
- Investigation
- Opened in France