Sisi calls for "cease escalation" in the region
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi stated that “the relevant authorities are conducting investigations to ascertain the details and circumstances of the incident” at the Port of Damietta, highlighting the severity of the escalation in the region and emphasizing the necessity for Egypt, Spain, Europe, and the international community to unite in halting this escalation.
According to a presidential statement, President el-Sisi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez discussed “developments in regional affairs” over the phone on Thursday evening, with the Egyptian President outlining efforts aimed at restoring stability to the region.
For his part, the Spanish Prime Minister expressed his deep appreciation for these efforts, and the importance of a peaceful settlement of conflicts to preserve peace and security in the Middle East was reaffirmed.
The statement added that Sánchez began the call by condemning his country’s stance on the incident involving two ships at the Port of Damietta, reiterating Spain’s solidarity with Egypt, both government and people.
In this context, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli reviewed, during the government’s weekly meeting, the latest developments regarding the fire that affected the two ships on Wednesday, as well as the results of preliminary investigations conducted by the relevant authorities. These investigations indicated that “the fire incident was caused by a drone,” noting that the relevant authorities are continuing their investigations to uncover all circumstances surrounding the incident and taking necessary measures to safeguard Egypt’s interests and national security.
Madbouli affirmed “the stability of various services within the Port of Damietta and the continued regular operation at full capacity, through the normal and steady conduct of various operational activities at the port.”
He stressed “the continuation of the movement of receiving and departing ships of all types, alongside the execution of various loading and unloading operations, and the handling of cargo, containers, dry bulk, liquid bulk, and general cargo, according to the highest operational efficiency rates and in accordance with approved plans and schedules, with ships continuing to arrive at the port as planned, in addition to the stability of electricity services.”
The concerned ministers reviewed the efforts made to contain the fire on the two ships and the restoration of services to normalcy at the Port of Damietta on the Mediterranean coast, highlighting the full cooperation and coordination achieved among various ministries and relevant authorities in this regard.
Earlier, the government announced in a statement that “following the containment of the fire that affected two ships at the Port of Damietta on July 29, and after the relevant authorities conducted preliminary investigations into the incident, it was determined that it was caused by a drone, and no party has claimed responsibility for the incident.”
For its part, the Port of Damietta Authority confirmed the continuation of “providing its maritime and logistical services around the clock without interruption.”
The Authority’s Media Center noted that the port received eight ships during the past 24 hours, while one ship departed, bringing the total number of ships currently in the port to 21.
In Washington, US President Donald Trump stated during a press conference at the White House that he had been briefed on the incident.
When asked if the fire was linked to Iran, he said, “To some extent, this is an extension of what is happening, but things will straighten out.”
He emphasized “the solidarity of Gulf countries with Egypt and their support for all measures taken to protect its territory and safeguard its security and interests.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed “Bahrain’s full solidarity with Egypt and its complete endorsement of the legitimate measures it is taking to preserve its sovereignty, national security, and protect its vital facilities.”
For his part, Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy expressed his strongest condemnation of the targeting of the two ships.
In a statement, he emphasized that “this targeting constitutes an unacceptable and condemned aggression against Egyptian assets,” warning “of the consequences of desperate and cowardly attempts by some parties to expand the regional conflict raging in the area and engage in uncalculated adventures.”
Fahmi affirmed that “attacks on Arab states are unequivocally rejected,” highlighting “Egypt’s clear role from the outset of the ongoing war since February in working diligently and continuously to find a way out of the entrenched crisis, and its efforts among parties to de-escalate tensions on a basis that ends the aggression and preserves the security and sovereignty of Arab states, as well as security and stability for all.”
Jordan reaffirmed “its support for Egypt in all steps it takes to protect its sovereignty, security, and the safety of its citizens.”
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels stated in a statement carried by their affiliated Saba News Agency that “there is no truth to rumors about Yemen targeting a ship in the port of Damietta in the Arab Republic of Egypt.”
Amid a wave of political and parliamentary support for any moves or decisions taken by the political leadership, political forces agreed on the necessity of Egyptians standing as “one force” in the face of attempts to harm Egypt.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, during his meeting with Libyan Unity Government Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah in the new city of Alamein, affirmed “the historical and fraternal ties binding the two countries,” stressing “the need to intensify efforts to enhance these relations in various fields in a manner that serves the interests of the two brotherly peoples.”
He noted that “Egypt has always been keen on the stability and prosperity of brotherly Libya, and has paid great attention to supporting peace and stability in Libya and ensuring its unity and territorial integrity.”
The Egyptian Presidency stated that the two sides discussed “developments on regional and international issues and explored opportunities for joint coordination to preserve regional peace and stability.”
They also “agreed to intensify existing consultations and coordination between the two countries to address common challenges.”
