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Three arrested for Suez Canal attack, security heightened

Three arrested for Suez Canal attack, security heightened
Egyptian authorities have arrested three men for firing on Cosco Asia in an unsuccessful attack on the boxship in the Suez Canal on Saturday.

On Saturday the Suez Canal Authorities said they had thwarted a “terror” attack on the Cosco, in what was an attempt to disrupt traffic in the key waterway.

"There was an attempt to disrupt security in an area called el-Qantara as they fired at a ship in an attempt to halt (traffic on) the waterway. Three were arrested and they have been dealt with ... This attack could not have harmed the ships,” Reuters reported quoting an unnamed army source.

Reports indicate that the men fired on the ship with machine guns and a rocket propelled grenade.

Meanwhile security around the canal has been stepped up. Ma’an News Agencies reported that armed forces supported by armored vehicles and Apache helicopters deployed on both sides of the canal.

UK maritime security agency Gulf of Aden Group Transits (GoAGT) warned that heightened security should be implemented for all vessels transiting the Suez Canal.

“The reported attack on the Cosco Asia shows an increased risk and that immediate and sustained heightened security needs to be implemented onboard merchant vessels using the Suez Canal, as well as major maritime choke points such as the Straits of Gibraltar and the Straits of Bab el Mandeb,” said Gerry Northwood, coo of GoAGT.

“An unarmed security adviser should be considered for all vessels transiting the Mediterranean prior to embarking armed guards in high risk areas. They can assist crews in identifying potential threats and are able to assist the Masters and their crews communicating and gathering intelligence.”