Egyptian security forces repel Suez Canal attack

USPA News - A container ship passing through the Suez Canal was attacked by "terrorist elements" on Saturday, but Egyptian security forces were able to repel the attack that was apparently designed to disrupt the flow of ships through the waterway, officials said on Sunday. The incident happened at around 2:30 p.m. local time on Saturday when armed men targeted the Panama-flagged container ship M/V Cosco Asia as it moved through the Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea and allows ship transport between Europe and Asia.

"The attempt completely failed with no damage whatsoever, neither to the ship or its cargo of containers," said Mohab Memish, the head of the Suez Canal Authority. "The situation was dealt with in a very decisive manner by the Egyptian armed forces, and the vessel resumed its trip safely to the port of destination." Memish provided few other details about Saturday`s attack, but said ship traffic in the waterway had returned to normal. "It is worthy to note that the traffic is quite regular and the situation is as stable as normal," he said, adding that the military has advised to increase security measures along the waterway. Several employees working in the area reported hearing two loud explosions at the time of the attack, but further information was not immediately known. It was also not known whether the attack was linked to the continuing protests against the army`s ousting of President Mohammed Morsi on July 3.