The U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet said the shooting took place on late March
24 as the vessel, Motor Vehicle Global Patriot, entered the Suez Canal, Middle East Newsline reported. The
navy, which did not report casualties, said several Egyptian boats
approached the
American cargo ship despite warnings.
Officials said the U.S. Navy has insisted that the canal area be cleared
before its ships enter. They said the navy has been alerted to the prospect
of an Al Qaida-aligned attack in the canal, which accounts for 7.5 percent
of global sea trade.
The Global Patriot, under short term charter to the navy's Military
Sealift Command, entered the canal from the Red Sea. Officials said
a U.S. Navy security team was aboard the cargo ship.
"All shots were accounted for as they entered the water," the U.S.
embassy said. "Initial reports indicate that no casualties were sustained
on either vessel."
Officials said the U.S. Navy revised its rules of engagement in wake of
the Al Qaida suicide strike on the USS Cole off the coast of Yemen in 2000.
Under the new rules, they said, naval ships were directed to sink small
suspicious boats when they refuse orders to halt.
"The incident is under investigation," the navy said. "The U.S. Navy's
5th Fleet command is cooperating with Egyptian authorities, including the
Suez Canal authorities, through the U.S. embassy in Cairo."
