Cairo: The Transport Ministry announced that the vessel TIHAMA, reportedly targeted by Yemen's Houthi group, is neither Egyptian nor registered in Egypt. The ministry clarified that the ship does not hold a maritime agency operating license from Egypt's Maritime Transport and Logistics Sector.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the ministry's statement emphasized that the company operating the vessel is not based in Alexandria, Egypt. Instead, the TIHAMA flies under the Tanzanian flag, with Yemeni ownership, and is operated by Blue Sea for Management Marine, operating from its branch in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The ministry further stated that the TIHAMA was targeted off the Yemeni coast and had never entered any Egyptian port. It was not heading to Egypt and was not transporting any cargo related to Egyptians. The incident has prompted the Ministry to reaffirm its vigilance over the security of Egyptian territorial waters and the safety of the Mediterranean and Red seas, as well as the protection of Egyptian maritime interests.

The Ministry also addressed misinformation spread by various media outlets and social platforms regarding the TIHAMA. It urged these entities to verify their information with official sources to ensure accuracy in reporting on matters related to the Egyptian Transport Ministry.