Contacts between Egypt and the Gulf over Iraqi developments

The Egyptian government is maintaining direct contacts with its Gulf counterparts regarding the developments in Iraq in preparation for any aggression that would threaten the region, a source at the Egyptian foreign ministry told Al Arab Al Yawmnewspaper.

The source pointed out that “Egypt is keen on the security of the Gulf, and has a clear position that Gulf security is a red line, inseparable from Egyptian national security.”

Military and political analysts held various opinions on whether the Egyptian armed forces are ready to take part in defending Gulf security if these countries are unable to stave off the threats against them, particularly the threat posed by ISIS militant group which included Kuwait among the countries it seeks to annex to its territories. Some believe that military intervention by the Egyptian army would only take place in case of an invasion by a foreign country, and based on an official request.

Political expert at Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies Dr Mohamed al-Saeed Idriss said it’s highly unlikely for the Egyptian army to deploy its troops on the borders between Saudi Arabia and Iraq, despite the threat they are facing. He pointed out that Al-Sisi’s statement in which he said that his army is ready to defend Gulf countries from outside threats was referring to threats by foreign countries or entities, rather than terrorist groups financed by some Gulf countries. He added that ISIS does not only threaten the interests of Iraq, but also those of Turkey (after it held a number of Turkish citizens in Iraq) and Iran (due to its attempt to attack Shiite holy shrines), as well as the Gulf, Egypt and Jordan.

Chairman of the National Center for Middle East Studies Dr Mohamed Mogahed said that the developments in Iraq would not amount to a threat to the border region of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait with Iraq. He explained that ISIS would not move forward to Baghdad and other southern cities leading to the borders, and thus there would be no need for Egyptian troops to deploy in that region. He added that Baghdad is secured with 100,000 troops that would not allow 6000 ISIS elements to enter the city.

Gen. Talaat Mosallam, on the other hand, does not rule out the possibility of intervention by the Egyptian army to defend the security of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, despite the presence of US troops in both countries.