Egyptian Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Hegazy discusses joint security and the terrorism threat
Staff Lt. Col. Yousef Al Hadid Nation Shield magazine/United Arab Emirates
Nation Shield magazine of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) sat down with Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Hegazy, chief of staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces, to discuss pressing security matters in the Middle East:
NATION SHIELD: What do you think about the UAE leadership’s view of the current challenges in the Arab region and how they have dealt with them?
LT. GEN. HEGAZY: The United Arab Emirates has conscientious leadership that has recognized the challenges of the current phase as being a major threat to the Arab region. The UAE leaders’ reading of the security scene in the Arab homeland was accurate, systematic and thoughtful. Their initiatives to support Arab brethren in all countries, especially Egypt, deepen ties and promote Arab relations. They are fully aware of the importance of joint Arab cooperation in general, and Egyptian-UAE cooperation in particular. As long as there are leaders on this level of maturity and wisdom in the UAE, Egypt will make sure that the future will be better and will paint a bright future for the sister countries, the Emirates and Egypt.
NATION SHIELD: What is your advice to the Arab community regarding the next stage?
LT. GEN. HEGAZY: Everyone should realize that all countries in the Arab region are targeted by powers that are working in secret on schemes aimed at destabilizing security and stability in the region. Therefore, in light of these challenges, I think the best advice for all of us is to build a variety of relationships — military, economic, human and societal — to consolidate ties and solidarity, which has become an urgent need for all nations.
NATION SHIELD: The UAE and Egypt have developed historic relations, embodied in solid cooperation in various areas. How do you see these relations from the military side?
LT. GEN. HEGAZY: Indeed, relations are strong and established between the two countries, and will remain powerful and entrenched, God willing. The military aspect is witnessing a serious and fruitful cooperation according to a systematic plan that includes joint exercises between the UAE and Egyptian forces. This will be demonstrated in the future through joint exercises in operations Arrows of Righteousness 1, Arrows of Righteousness 2, and Arrows of Righteousness 3. There are also joint exercises between the armed forces. I firmly believe there is coexistence, fellowship and deep intellectual harmony, which underlines the depth and the growth of military relations between the two countries.
NATION SHIELD: What about the military cooperation between the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and other Arab countries?
LT. GEN. HEGAZY: We rely on a policy of opening up military exercises to share experiences and deepen ties with the Gulf states and other Arab countries, especially in light of the threats and ambitions witnessed by the Arab region and the desperate attempts to destabilize its security and stability. This depends at the same time on a thorough and deep understanding of the big challenges facing the Arab world, as well as our belief in the importance of joint Arab cooperation to face all challenges of the future. Therefore, we are cooperating with Arab countries, including the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, in the field of training, and the doors are open for cooperation and an exchange of experience and training with all the Arab Gulf states to maintain our security against external threats. Operation Al-Hazem Storm is a necessity that has been dictated by reality and the protection of the nation.
NATION SHIELD: What are your thoughts on Operation Al-Hazem Storm?
LT. GEN. HEGAZY: I think the security conditions and the protection of the homeland and its border have emphasized the inevitability and need for Operation Al-Hazem Storm. A good observer recognizes that there are regional powers and foreign elements that have no objection to exploiting internal elements in any Arab country to undermine the domestic security of that state, which may affect the internal security of neighboring countries or Arab countries in general. In Yemen, an armed group adopted a plan beyond the legitimacy of the state and tried to impose its control over the country illegally along ethnic and sectarian lines, with the support of external forces, to break up the security and stability of Yemen and threaten neighboring countries. This group spread quickly and was about to fully undermine the security of the state and disrupt the security of neighboring countries and of Arab countries in general. This situation called for Operation Al-Hazem Storm to resolve those schemes that threaten all Arabs.
NATION SHIELD: Do you think Operation Al-Hazem Storm has achieved its objectives?
LT. GEN. HEGAZY: I think that it has. At least this group has not been able to achieve full control of Yemen; rather, they began to retreat and pulled out of the sites that had been under their control before the “storm.” Moreover, they returned to the language of dialogue that they had refused to use prior to the operation. Consequently, there have been opportunities for dialogue and discussions to find a political solution to the crisis. This reflects an important fact, namely that Operation Al-Hazem Storm was never focused on bloodshed or killing and destruction, but at achieving strategic goals that protect Yemen and neighboring countries, as well as other Arab countries. We hope that solutions will be political, and that Operation Hope Storm will help rebuild Yemen on real democratic foundations that respect neighboring countries, guarantee freedom of opinion and do not allow the formation or existence of such groups.
NATION SHIELD: There is a new orientation in the Egyptian armament process. Will you tell us about this trend and its importance?
LT. GEN. HEGAZY: This talk is true. It represents a diversification of the sources of armament, which is an urgent requirement for Egyptian national security, dictated by inevitable necessities and the strategies of building the appropriate weapons systems to defend the country. The inclination to diversify the sources of arms does not necessarily mean we deal with one country at the expense of another. The development of a general strategy to build the Armed Forces takes place according to the requirements of the country’s national security. It is also difficult to rely on one source of weapons; because if that source goes away, you will face a severe crisis that may threaten your security and stability; therefore, reliance on diverse sources serves the national security of the state.
NATION SHIELD: What about the security of Sinai?
LT. GEN. HEGAZY: Sinai is a valuable part of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Most of Egypt’s wars were fought for the protection of the Sinai and its security, for it affects our strategic eastern border. It has been central to the Egyptian Armed Forces since the dawn of history. What happened, with all transparency and clarity, was that Sinai was neglected in terms of development. In the wake of the January 25 revolution in 2011, the prisons were opened and more than 25,000 prisoners released. Some police stations were attacked and more than 15,000 pieces of weaponry were taken. At the same time, the police were depleted, so the criminals went to Sinai. They lived there for a period, displaying weapons and threatening the security of citizens. The crisis increased and increased and became more dangerous during the reign of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. This helped create a suitable environment for this group to realize its desires, which are based on an extremist ideology that is being employed against the interests of the state, its legitimacy and development. This has forced the Armed Forces to move to protect this precious spot of Egyptian territory.
NATION SHIELD: How do you see the current situation in Sinai at all levels?
LT. GEN. HEGAZY: The situation is fully under control. The Armed Forces are delivering successive and painful blows to the places where terrorism exists. Nevertheless, the most dangerous thing in terrorism is that the individuals who live among us could turn into terrorists. Unfortunately, the war against terrorism will continue for a while until it is eliminated altogether. This is due to two reasons: The first is that we have the will and determination not to rest until we eradicate these extremist terrorist outposts in Egypt. The second is that we have the required ability and capability in our Armed Forces, the Ministry of the Interior and the people of the Sinai. The Sinai’s indigenous Bedouins are patriotic people who love their country and have a history of honorable struggle for their country. Besides, the noble people of Sinai reject these terrorist practices. The most dangerous thing about this extremism and terrorism is that it uses the name of religion to lie and falsify facts and mislead citizens. They aim to achieve repugnant goals that threaten our security and stability. Religion is innocent of such practices, and we are able to root out this terrorism.
NATION SHIELD: Finally, what is your assessment of and vision for security in the Arab region?
LT. GEN. HEGAZY: This question is very important, so I should answer it with full transparency. There are threats and dirty schemes led by hidden hands to destabilize the security and stability of the people of the Arab region to achieve ambitions that were planned a long time ago. Therefore, there is no other way for us but to unite and address those foreign ambitions and aggressions forcefully and decisively. No one could imagine the events and crises that happened lately throughout our Arab countries. Our countries should be on the alert and cooperate with one another. I can only pray to God to preserve Egypt, the UAE and all Arab countries.