Damietta port drone strike proves Egypt can't hide from regional war – analysis

On July 29, 2024, a drone strike caused a fire on two vessels at Egypt's Damietta port, as confirmed by the Egyptian cabinet after initial denials. The attack, which occurred on a US-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) and a Greek-owned storage vessel, caused no casualties but disrupted port operations. While no group claimed responsibility, Egyptian intelligence suspects Houthi involvement, viewing it as an Iranian-backed action targeting American interests and Egyptian economic stability. This incident followed an Iranian state television broadcast that listed Damietta as a potential target for retaliation against a Ukrainian drone strike on Iranian-linked cargo ships.

“The Damietta incident is clearly deliberate and intentional,”

said Hany El-Aasar, a security and military affairs researcher, highlighting the attack's significant impact on Egypt's economic interests and the perceived legitimacy of its political system. Analysts suggest the strike demonstrates Egypt's vulnerability to regional conflicts, potentially leading to a diplomatic escalation by Cairo, possibly involving the UN Security Council, and a reassessment of its relations with Iran.