Yemen’s Houthis have denied responsibility for a drone attack that caused a fire aboard two gas vessels at Egypt’s Damietta Port, leaving authorities yet to publicly identify those behind the strike.
A source at the Houthi-run Foreign Ministry rejected reports linking the group to the incident, saying there was “no truth” to claims that a vessel at Damietta Port had been targeted.
The statement, carried by the Houthi-affiliated Saba news agency on Thursday, said the group’s position was clear and that its attacks were directed only at Saudi Arabia.
The source also sought to reassure commercial shipping operators, saying navigation in the Red Sea was safe and that there was no reason for concern.
Egypt confirmed earlier Thursday that a drone had caused a fire aboard two vessels at Damietta Port on the Mediterranean coast a day earlier. However, Egyptian authorities have not officially identified who carried out the attack.
The incident involved a US-owned and operated floating liquefied natural gas storage facility registered under the Marshall Islands flag, according to maritime risk intelligence firm Ambrey.
The strike prompted a strong reaction from US President Donald Trump, who on Wednesday threatened a “very hard” response following the attack on the US-linked vessel.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions surrounding maritime security in the region, with any attack on energy infrastructure or commercial shipping raising concerns over potential disruption to international trade and fuel supplies.
The Houthi denial leaves the identity of those responsible for the Damietta Port attack unresolved.
