The country did not specify the reasons for this decision

Spain has decided not to join an international coalition led by the United States to protect merchant ships from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. 

A spokesman for the Spanish Ministry of Defense confirmed this in a comment to AFP.

The spokesman did not provide specific reasons for the decision. 

He only noted that the country would not participate in the US-led coalition. Domestic political issues, such as the need to support a radical leftist party that opposes US foreign policy, may be the reason for Spain's refusal to join the coalition.

Houthi spokesman Hussein al-Ezzi welcomed Madrid's decision, saying that "we appreciate Spain's refusal to be drawn into the American and British lies on the issue of maritime navigation."

As a reminder, on December 19, the United States announced the Prosperity Guardian mission involving 10 allies to counter attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen on commercial ships traveling from the East to Europe.