ABU DHABI— The United Arab Emirates and Egypt have condemned a series of attacks targeting commercial vessels and regional territories over recent days, warning of escalating threats to maritime security, regional stability and global trade routes.
The UAE condemned the hijacking of an oil tanker off the coast of Yemen carrying several Egyptian sailors that was later taken into Somali territorial waters.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said such criminal acts posed a direct threat to maritime security and the safety of international trade routes.
The UAE expressed solidarity with Egypt and the families of the abducted sailors and supported efforts to ensure their safety and secure their release.
The ministry also stressed the importance of strengthening international cooperation to combat piracy and organized crime in vital maritime corridors, saying maritime security remained a key pillar of global economic stability and international trade.
The UAE renewed calls for enhanced regional and international cooperation to protect commercial vessels, ensure crew safety and preserve the security and stability of maritime navigation.
Egypt condemns attacks on UAE
Meanwhile, Egypt strongly condemned what it described as Iranian attacks targeting the UAE that resulted in several injuries.
In a statement carried by the Middle East News Agency, Egypt said the repeated attacks were a flagrant violation of UAE sovereignty, international law and the United Nations Charter, and represented a direct threat to regional security and stability.
Egypt said the attacks undermined regional and international efforts aimed at de-escalation and restoring stability, while reiterating its full solidarity with the UAE and support for measures to protect its security and resources.
Qatar reports drone attack on cargo vessel
Qatar’s Ministry of Defence said a commercial cargo vessel traveling from Abu Dhabi was targeted by a drone in the country’s territorial waters northeast of Mesaieed Port.
The ministry said the incident caused a limited fire onboard the vessel, but no injuries were reported. The fire was brought under control and the ship continued its journey toward Mesaieed Port.
Qatar said necessary measures were taken in coordination with relevant authorities.
UAE condemns attack on vessel in Qatari waters
The UAE condemned the drone attack on the commercial cargo vessel in Qatar’s territorial waters.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the attack violated Qatar’s sovereignty and threatened its security and stability. The UAE expressed solidarity with Qatar and support for measures aimed at safeguarding its security.
The ministry said the attack violated U.N. Security Council Resolution 2817, which affirms freedom of navigation and rejects attacks on commercial vessels and international maritime routes.
The UAE also warned that targeting commercial shipping and using the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of economic coercion or blackmail amounted to acts of piracy and posed a direct threat to regional stability and global energy security.
Egypt condemns attack in Qatari waters
Egypt also condemned the targeting of the commercial cargo vessel in Qatar’s territorial waters.
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said attacks on civilian and commercial vessels violated international law and the principles of freedom of maritime navigation, warning that such incidents threatened the security of waterways and global commerce.
Egypt reiterated its solidarity with Qatar and support for efforts to safeguard its security, sovereignty and maritime navigation.
UAE condemns drone attacks on Kuwait
The UAE condemned drone attacks targeting Kuwait, calling them a violation of Kuwaiti sovereignty and a threat to the country’s security and stability.
The UAE reaffirmed its solidarity with Kuwait and support for measures to protect its security and stability.
With Inputs from WAM