US Admits Suez Canal Killing

Yesterday, a US government contracted Navy ship, the Global Patriot, sounded warning calls to a group of approaching motor boats in the Suez Canal. According to US accounts of the story, after sounding a the call to the approaching unidentified vessels, most of the boats turned away.

"One small boat continued to approach the ship and received two sets of warning shots 20-30 yards in front of the bow," according to the US embassy in Cairo.

Yesterday, the embassy initially denied reports that an Egyptian was killed in the exchange. However, the embassy underwent an about-face and now claims responsibility for the death of the Egyptian. BBC World reports that fisherman often "ply the waters of the canal trying to sell cigarettes and other local products to ships passing through." The Global Patriot was carrying cargo for the US military.

The Suez Canal is a crucial trade route and of the utmost geopolitical significance. According to BBC, "7.5% of world sea trade passes through the Suez Canal." Incidents of Al-Qaeda launching attacks on US vessels from small motor boats off the coast of Yemen have been reported in the past.

The incident is pending further investigation from the US and Egyptian officials.

Al Jazeera News and Abdel-Rahman Hussein of Daily New Egypt have more.