Spain opposes using the European Union's anti-piracy naval force Atalanta in a United States-led coalition to protect Red Sea shipping from attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Wednesday.

But his government was "willing and open" to the creation by the EU of another force to tackle the problem, Sanchez said during his annual year-end news conference.

The Iran-backed Houthis have carried out several strikes on Red Sea shipping, in what they say is in support of Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Atalanta — which was set up in 2008 and currently operates in the Indian Ocean with just one ship from Spain's navy — does not have "the characteristics" which are required to patrol the Red Sea to prevent Houthi attacks, Sanchez said.

"The situation is completely distinct and the risk is different," the Socialist premier added in his first public comments on the issue.

Spain took over command of the EU maritime mission from Britain in 2019, as London was preparing its exit from the bloc.

The operational headquarters of Atalanta were also transferred to the Rota naval base in southern Spain.

Last week, the Pentagon said 20 countries had joined a Washington-led coalition to protect the key Red Sea shipping lane.