Arab League Condemns Drone Strike on Gas Vessels at Egypt’s Damietta Port
CAIRO-Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy on Thursday condemned the drone attack that targeted two gas vessels at Egypt’s Port of Damietta, describing it as an unacceptable act of aggression against Egypt and warning that such incidents risk further escalating regional tensions.
Fahmy said the attack represented an assault on an Arab state and cautioned against what he described as attempts to widen the conflict in the region. He warned against “desperate attempts to escalate the regional conflict” and said attacks targeting Arab countries were unacceptable under any circumstances.
His remarks came after the Egyptian cabinet confirmed that a drone caused the fire that engulfed two gas vessels at Damietta Port on Wednesday, determining that the blaze resulted from an attack rather than an accidental incident.
The government’s statement marked the first official confirmation that the fire was caused by hostile action. Authorities said their findings showed the vessels had been struck by a drone, leading to the outbreak of the fire.
The attack on the Mediterranean port has heightened concerns about the security of critical energy and maritime infrastructure at a time of heightened instability across the Middle East.
Fahmy urged restraint and warned against actions that could further inflame regional tensions, reiterating the Arab League’s opposition to attacks on the sovereignty and security of its member states.
The incident at Damietta follows growing regional security concerns amid wider conflict in the Middle East, with attacks on strategic infrastructure raising fears of broader disruption to maritime trade and energy supplies.
Egyptian authorities have not publicly identified those responsible for the drone attack, and no group has claimed responsibility.
The Arab League’s condemnation underscores growing regional concern over attacks targeting civilian and commercial infrastructure as governments seek to prevent a further widening of the conflict.
