In an unexpected turn of events, the United States' military operation to safeguard ships sailing in the Red Sea from Yemen's Houthi rebels has sparked tensions between Madrid and Washington. The dispute arose when Spain was included in the list of participating countries without prior notice, causing displeasure among Spanish officials.

On Monday, the Spanish government's spokesperson, Pilar Alegría, denied Spain's unilateral involvement in the coalition. While the Spanish Ministry of Defense clarified that Spain could participate within NATO or the European Union's framework, the lack of consultation from the United States raised concerns.

The situation appeared to be resolved shortly after, as an extraordinary meeting of the European Political and Security Committee (CPS) endorsed the EU's participation in monitoring the Red Sea through Operation Atalanta. Operation Atalanta, initially established in 2008 to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean, pledged to strengthen naval presence and information sharing with the United States.

However, the following day, Spain unexpectedly vetoed the proposal to modify Operation Atalanta's mandate to include maritime security in the Red Sea, without providing any explanation. This surprising decision created a stir in diplomatic circles and was the reason behind a conversation between US President Joe Biden and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

Although the official statement from La Moncloa did not reference the Red Sea issue, the White House reported that both leaders discussed the importance of preventing the extension of the Gaza conflict and condemned the ongoing Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

During a meeting in Congress on the same day, leader of the Popular Party (PP) Alberto Núñez Feijóo disclosed that Spain's current decision was not to intervene, or at least not under the conditions requested by the United States.

Speaking to the Cadena SER radio station on Thursday, Spanish vice president Yolanda Díaz criticized what she saw as international hypocrisy in giving priority to protecting commercial interests in the Red Sea while neglecting the safety of the civilian population in Gaza. The Houthi militants, who align with Iran, claim to target ships heading to Israel, but in practice, any ship passing through Israeli ports or associated with the country is at risk. This poses a threat to maritime security in a route through which approximately 10% of global trade passes.

Operation Atalanta, with its headquarters at the Rota base in Cádiz, Spain, is of significant importance for Spain. Currently, the Spanish frigate Victoria is the sole ship in the European operation after the withdrawal of the Italian frigate. However, due to seasonal factors, it even lacks a maritime patrol plane for deployment in the area.

Military sources highlight the limitations of Operation Atalanta in taking on additional tasks, particularly amid a resurgence of attacks by Somali pirates. The narrow width of the Red Sea, combined with the need for close proximity between escorts and the vessels they protect, leaves a limited window for reaction to attacks from Yemen's coast. The slow-moving Houthi drones, responsible for the majority of attacks, raise questions about the cost-effectiveness of shooting them down with expensive missiles. Additionally, engaging in a conflict with the Houthis implies involvement in a proxy conflict with Iran from a political standpoint.

The tensions between Madrid and Washington over the US military operation in the Red Sea continue to shape discussions and decisions within diplomatic circles. Efforts to find common ground and ensure maritime security remain ongoing as the impact of this dispute reverberates both regionally and globally.