A drone attack on a U.S. gas storage facility in the Egyptian port of Damietta has been reported, according to the British maritime security firm Ambrey. This incident may signify an extension of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, as per initial assessments from the firm.
The Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum confirmed that a fire broke out in the port, but did not mention the drone strike. Port services company Inchcape reported that two gas tanks caught fire at the site.
The drone targeted the floating storage and regasification unit Energos Winter, igniting a fire that spread to another vessel, Gaslog Salem. Three commercial sources familiar with the incident have indicated that a drone strike is the likely cause of the explosion.
The responsibility for the attack remains unclear, occurring shortly after Iran launched missile strikes against American forces in Jordan, while U.S. and Saudi forces targeted Iranian-backed militia groups in Iraq.
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened action against Iran, while Houthi rebels in Yemen announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, suggesting a significant escalation of the conflict since the U.S. and Israel initiated military actions against Iran back in February.
Details on the Affected Unit
Energos Winter is a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) capable of holding 138,250 cubic meters of gas. It is owned by the American company Energos Infrastructure, with technical and safety operations managed by Wilhelmsen Ship Management, also an American firm.
The Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum reported that the fire was managed immediately according to approved emergency plans by firefighting and security teams. Minister of Petroleum Karim Badawi visited the site to oversee the response efforts. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities have been reported, and emergency teams continue to handle the situation and assess the impact of the incident.
Trump’s Response to the Incident
In response to the Iranian missile attack on U.S. forces in Jordan, President Trump stated that the U.S. would retaliate and acknowledged being informed about the attack in Egypt. “So it is our turn,” Trump remarked to reporters at the White House. He also noted that it remains to be seen whether an agreement between Washington and Tehran will occur, adding, “but we will hit them very hard.”
When asked about the Egypt attack, Trump reiterated, “I have been informed. It is pretty much the same thing. But things will get better.”
