Egypt secretly moved troops, an air defense network, and a squadron of Rafale fighter jets into strategic locations within Saudi Arabia. Maritime units concurrently advanced to protect the southern entrance of the Red Sea near the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The naval mission later expanded in August with the arrival of additional modern frigates and corvettes to secure trade routes against Yemeni Houthi threats.
Key points
Covert asset transfers show Egypt established a significant operational presence in Saudi…: Covert asset transfers show Egypt established a significant operational presence in Saudi Arabia before making public defense pledges.
Regional naval mobilizations were driven by growing worries in Cairo regarding Houthi thr…: Regional naval mobilizations were driven by growing worries in Cairo regarding Houthi threats against international commercial shipping lanes.
Anonymous military sources confirmed that Egypt's actual regional security commitments ex…: Anonymous military sources confirmed that Egypt's actual regional security commitments exceeded what officials had previously disclosed to the public.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Egypt deployed forces and military aircraft to Saudi Arabia and moved air defence systems to strategic locations across the country long before President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi publicly pledged Cairo's support for Riyadh, Egyptian military sources have told Middle East Eye.
The deployment included a squadron of Rafale fighter jets, eight helicopters and four large transport aircraft, an Egyptian military source said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak with the media.
Egyptian naval warships had also moved towards the southern Red Sea, near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, the source added.
The reported naval movements came amid growing Egyptian concern over the security of Red Sea shipping lanes and the threat posed by Houthi attacks in Yemen.
In August, Egypt reportedly increased its naval presence near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, with reports claiming that modern frigates and corvettes had been deployed towards the southern entrance of the Red Sea.
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