French President Emmanuel Macron said yesterday, Tuesday, January 16, 2024, that Paris will not participate in the strikes led by the United States on the Houthi group because it wants to avoid regional escalation.

Macron mentioned in a press conference that France's approach in the Red Sea is defensive, and that Paris will adhere to this position.

He also confirmed that France "decided not to join the coalition that led preventive strikes against the Houthis on their territory.. because our position specifically seeks to avoid any escalation," pointing out that the matter is not military but diplomatic.

European diplomats had stated on Tuesday that EU member states had given preliminary support for the idea of forming a naval mission to protect ships from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

The diplomats said that the EU Political and Security Committee, which is concerned with the bloc's foreign and defense policy, gave its preliminary support for the mission, which will cooperate with partners who support the idea.

The goal is to form the mission by no later than February 19, and it should start work quickly, with foreign ministers to discuss the matter on January 22.