Egypt has confirmed that a fire involving two gas vessels at the port of Damietta was caused by a drone attack. The government said the incident took place a day earlier and described it as the first such strike on Egyptian territory since the current Middle East war began.
The announcement adds a new security concern for Egypt, which has so far avoided a direct attack linked to the wider regional conflict. Damietta is one of the country's key Mediterranean ports, and any incident there is likely to draw close attention from officials and the shipping sector.
Authorities had already reported that two gas ships were affected in the fire at the port. Egypt's latest statement shifts the focus from an accident or unspecified cause to a deliberate aerial attack, underlining the growing risk that the regional war could spill beyond its main battle zones.
The confirmation is likely to raise questions about maritime security, port protection and the potential impact on energy transport routes in the eastern Mediterranean. It also marks a significant moment for Egypt as it confronts the first reported drone attack on the country since the outbreak of the conflict.
