French President Emmanuel Macron and German leader Olaf Scholz have been experiencing a frosty relationship of late. Diplomatic aides fear this spat could risk damaging the European Union’s position on the Houthis in Yemen.
The EU is looking to pursue a united stance towards the Iran-backed Houthis amid military action by the UK and US.
However, Macron and Scholz are currently at loggerheads on several issues including Ukraine, China and energy subsidies.
Germany is also lobbying France to increase the French-led EU anti-piracy mission at the entrance of the Red Sea around the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, Mr Scholz warned EU member states on Monday that they were providing insufficient military assistance to Kyiv, indirectly criticising President Macron, whose level of support lags far behind that of Berlin.
An EU diplomat told the Telegraph: “The relationship isn’t really working at the moment. The Germans think the French are not doing enough on Ukraine, despite talking a big game, and they are right.”
This comes as Iran-backed Houthi rebels operating in nearby Yemen launch drone and missile attacks on shipping.
Despite the presence of US warships, major shipping companies have diverted their cargo away from the Red Sea, forcing them to take a longer route around South Africa, increasing global shipping costs and ultimately prices.
US Air Forces Central Command said the strikes focused on the Houthi’s command and control nodes, munition depots, launching systems, production facilities and air defence radar systems.
The strikes involved more than 150 precision-guided munitions including air-launched missiles by F/A-18 Super Hornets based on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Tomahawk missiles from the Navy destroyers USS Gravely and USS Mason, the Navy cruiser USS Philippine Sea, and a US submarine.
The United Kingdom said strikes hit a site in Bani allegedly used by the Houthis to launch drones and an airfield in Abbs used to launch cruise missiles and drones.
