French Frigate Intercepts Houthi Ballistic Missile Near Belgian Minehunter in Bab el-Mandeb

Analysis
Houthi ballistic launches now reach European escort lanes, and Primula-class minehunters, which cannot defend themselves, depend entirely on French escorts to survive them. Paris let Belgian officials disclose the engagement before confirming it, which indicates it is managing release timing. Intent is unresolved because the missile's final trajectory is undetermined. A warning shot, a stray launch aimed at Saudi targets, or a wider test of European resolve all fit the evidence, though Houthi focus on Saudi targets suggests the exposure of European ships was incidental and the minehunter's proximity coincidental. Ships staged for Hormuz clearance share that corridor and remain exposed. Confidence is high, based on French and Belgian official confirmation. The four outlets are secondary and trace to one chain, so they add no independent collection, and the Houthi attribution and the question of the intended target rest on unnamed Belgian sources.