Arab states condemn sabotage act on ships off UAE waters

There had been no injuries or fatalities on board the vessels.

Countries across the Arab region have strongly condemned the act of sabotage on four commercial cargo ships off UAE waters.

Four commercial cargo ships were subjected to sabotage operations on May 12 near UAE territorial waters in the Gulf of Oman, east of Fujairah, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, MOFAIC, said.

The act was condemned by the Arab League as well as countries such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait and Yemen.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, in a statement, said that these criminal acts represent a serious violation of the freedom and safety of trade and maritime transport routes, and would raise the level of escalation in the region.

Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Secretary General of the GCC, also denounced the act of sabotage.

"Such irresponsible acts will increase tension and conflicts in the region and expose its peoples to great danger," he said.

Similar statements were also issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, Yemen, Egypt and Bahrain.
With inputs from WAM