Egypt condemns Houthi attack on Emirati vessel

Egypt condemns in the “strongest terms” the Houthi attack against an Emirati maritime vessel in the strategic Bab Al-Mandab strait in the Red Sea, the Egyptian foreign ministry said on Sunday.

Egypt’s foreign ministry spokesman sad in a statement that the attack “was a violation of international law” and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The UAE is a key member of the Saudi-led coalition that has been battling the Iran-backed Houthis and their allies since March last year in support of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s internationally recognised government.

The Houthi rebels attacked the vessel on Saturday “on its usual route to and from [the southern port city of] Aden to transfer relief and medical aid and evacuate wounded civilians,” according to the Saudi-led coalition.

In a statement posted Saturday on their website, the rebels claimed the attack, which they said “completely destroyed” an Emirati warship with rockets as it neared Mokha on the Red Sea coast.

The United Arab Emirates military acknowledged “an incident” involving an attack on a chartered vessel under its command in Bab Al-Mandab, but reported no casualties.

Egypt has also been a member in the military coalition fighting the Houthis since March 2015, deploying Egyptian naval forces to secure the Bab Al-Mandab strait.

Source: Ahram Online