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ISIS Launch Rocket Attack On Egyptian Patrol Boat

ISIS Launch Rocket Attack On Egyptian Frigate

ISIS has claimed its first naval attack on the Egyptian Navy in the Mediterranean, according to reports from SITE Intel Group.

Islamic State's off-shoot in Egypt, namely the Sinai branch, said they destroyed a frigate with a guided missile.

In a Facebook post, Egyptian military spokesman Brig. Gen. Mohammed Samir said there were no fatalities among the vessel’s crew in the shootout with “terrorists.”

However, photos posted by ISIS on Twitter appear to show the vessel being hit by a rocket. See below:

Sinai Province of #ISIS claimed destroying a frigate of the Egyptian Navy in the Mediterranean Sea with a rocket. pic.twitter.com/3CuU7Gaqlt
— SITE Intel Group (@siteintelgroup) July 16, 2015

An official IS statement boasted online that the naval attack was the first of its kind and the start of maritime operations in the Mediterranean.

A fisherman who was nearby, Abu Ibrahim Mohammed from Gaza, said the vessel was a gunboat that was sailing off the coast when it caught fire – but the man did not hear the explosion. Later, he saw two smaller boats trying to extinguish the fire.

A third boat came and towed the vessel away. He also heard gunshots.

It comes as the Defence Secretary announces an increase in Britain's intelligence gathering efforts against Islamic State.

In a speech to the Royal United Services Institute, Michael Fallon confirmed that a second Rivet Joint spy plane will be dispatched to carry out surveillance missions over Iraq and Syria.

It comes days after Prime Minister David Cameron ordered more spending on drones and special forces in order to combat the threat posed by Islamist extremism.