Egypt concludes military drills near Suez Canal feared by Israel
Live-fire exercise involving thousands of troops draws reaction in Israel amid heightened regional tensions
CAIRO, Egypt (MNTV) — Egypt has completed a major live-fire military exercise involving thousands of troops, heavy weaponry, and aerial support, in a display of combat readiness that has drawn scrutiny from Israeli media.
The drills, described by the military as a “tactical war” exercise, involved units from the Third Field Army, supported by fighter jets, helicopter gunships, tanks, and artillery.
Footage released by Egypt’s military showed coordinated operations across a desert landscape, including live ammunition fire, rocket launches, and simulated airstrikes.
The Third Field Army is based in the Suez region and operates partly in the Sinai Peninsula — a strategically sensitive area that has historically served as the main battleground in Egypt’s past wars with Israel.
The final phase of the exercise was attended by Defense Minister General Ashraf Zaher, who used the occasion to emphasize the military’s preparedness.
Addressing troops, he said the armed forces remain fully capable of defending Egypt’s sovereignty and responding to evolving regional threats.
Officials framed the drills as part of routine efforts to maintain operational readiness across all strategic fronts, particularly at a time of growing instability in the Middle East.
Despite the longstanding peace treaty signed between Egypt and Israel in 1979, relations have deteriorated sharply since the outbreak of the Gaza genocide started in 2023.
Cairo has been increasingly vocal in its criticism of Israel’s military actions, particularly in Gaza, where it has accused Israel of severe humanitarian violations — claims Israel rejects.
The latest exercises have triggered concern in Israeli media, where commentators portrayed the drills as provocative and questioned whether they comply with the limitations imposed by the peace agreement, particularly regarding troop presence and military equipment in Sinai.
Some Israeli reports also claimed the exercises took place close to the shared border, raising alarm among nearby communities, though Egyptian authorities have not confirmed these details.
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has maintained that Egypt remains committed to peace as a strategic choice, while also signaling that the country will continue to safeguard its national security interests amid shifting regional dynamics.
The drills highlight the increasingly tense atmosphere in the region, where military posturing and political friction continue to shape relations between long-standing rivals.
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