Egyptian sources have reportedly confirmed that a fire that broke out Wednesday night on two ships at Damietta port was caused by drone strikes. The origin of the drones remains unknown, according to the reports. The confirmation adds detail to the Egyptian cabinet's earlier announcement that a preliminary investigation identified the blast as a drone strike.
Egyptian sources confirmed Thursday morning that a fire that broke out Wednesday night on two ships at Damietta port was caused by drone strikes. The source of the drones has not been identified, according to the reports. The confirmation adds specificity to the Egyptian cabinet's announcement earlier Thursday (10:28 Jerusalem) that a preliminary investigation concluded the explosion was a drone strike, reversing earlier security denials that attributed the incident to an industrial accident.
The incident was first reported Wednesday evening (19:59 Jerusalem) as a drone strike that damaged a U.S.-owned floating tanker at the port. Egyptian security sources initially denied an external attack, attributing the blast to a fire on an aging vessel. By Thursday morning, Iranian sources told the New York Times that the strike was a deliberate operation to demonstrate Iran's ability to disrupt global shipping, with some reports claiming Iranian responsibility. The Egyptian cabinet then confirmed the drone strike at 10:28 Jerusalem, reversing earlier denials. The new confirmation from Egyptian sources specifies that two ships were struck and notes that the launch origin remains under investigation.
The attack underscores the vulnerability of Mediterranean energy infrastructure amid regional tensions. As The Zioneer reported, the incident aligns with a broader pattern of Iranian threats to global shipping lanes, including previous strikes on vessels in the Gulf region. The Damietta port is a key hub for Egypt's energy exports.
The origin of the drones and the identity of the perpetrators remain unconfirmed. Egyptian authorities have not specified whether the drones were launched from within Egypt or from outside, and no group has formally claimed responsibility for the attack despite Iranian-linked sources suggesting involvement.
7 developments
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