Arab nations condemn 'terror attack' on oil tanker in Jeddah

 A number of Arab countries have condemned an attack on a fuel transport ship anchored at Jeddah port on Monday. Being labelled as a "terrorist attack", the oil tanker was hit by an explosive-laden boat, according to a statement released by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy.

Singaporean shipping firm Hafnia also confirmed that the oil tanker was struck by a blast from an "external source" at the Jeddah terminal. Reportedly, the ship was carrying 60,000 tons of gasoline that caused an explosion on board.

Releasing a statement on its website, the shipping company confirmed that all 22 sailors on board the BW Rhine escaped the blast without suffering any injury.

“BW Rhine has been hit from an external source whilst discharging at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia at approximately 00:40 local time on 14 December 2020, causing an explosion and subsequent fire on board,” Hafnia said in its statement, as reported by Reuters.

According to the Saudi energy ministry spokesperson, the attack caused a small fire onboard the ship, which was extinguished on time by emergency units. However, some parts of the tanker suffered damage.

Responding to the blast, Kuwait strongly condemned the attack and warned that such "terrorist acts" on Saudi Arabian instruments pose a grave threat to the peace and stability of the region.

Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Sabah stated that such attacks violate international laws and threaten the freedom of navigation and global energy supplies in the region. He further urged the UN Security Council as well as the international community to take cognizance of the incident and ensure efforts to put an end to such attacks.

Denouncing the terror attack, Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs asserted that such acts affect the safety and security of maritime traffic. In line with Kuwait's plea, Bahrain also called on the international community to initiate appropriate efforts to counter the terrorist organizations behind such attacks.

Reiterating Kuwait's remarks, Jordan also condemned the "terrorist act" on Saudi Arabian property. Dhaifallah Al-Fayez, the spokesman for the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs, extended his country's support to Saudi Arabia in view of such an attack on the security of the Kingdom and its citizens.

The UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a statement on Tuesday stating that such terror attacks are aimed at undermining the stability and security in the region.

Lebanon expressed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia as the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned the attack.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations has issued a statement on its website, announcing the reopening of Jeddah port after it was closed down for a brief period in the wake of the incident.