UAE strengthens military presence in Egypt

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (L) meets President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (R) at the Heliopolis Palace in Cairo, Egypt on 19 June, 2017 [Egyptian Presidency Handout/Anadolu Agency]

The UAE has sent F-18 warplanes to enhance its military presence at the Mohamed Naguib Military Base, north-west of Egypt, a military source said.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the New Al-Khaleej that the reinforcements were sent in agreement between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed following their talks in the UAE capital last week.

The source said the UAE reinforcements aim to support the forces of the head of the Libyan National Army, General Khalifa Haftar, whose are fighting terrorist groups on the ground.

In July, Bin Zayed, Haftar and Al-Sisi attended the opening ceremony of the military base. The Egyptian army provides training and logistical support for Haftar’s forces in eastern Libya and has previously carried out airstrikes against his opponents in Derna and Benghazi.

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