Senior Turkish military commander arrives in Egypt amid closer defence ties

Turkey’s Land Forces Commander, General Metin Tokel, has arrived in Cairo on an official visit as military relations between Egypt and Turkey continue to develop.

Turkish Ambassador to Egypt Salih Mutlu Sen said he welcomed Tokel at East Cairo Military Airport upon his arrival. He did not disclose details of the visit’s programme or when talks with Egyptian military officials would take place.

The visit comes amid closer ties between Cairo and Ankara, with both countries taking steps in recent months to strengthen defence and military cooperation and coordinate on several regional issues.

READ: Turkiye’s Havelsan, Egyptian AOI ink sales deal for jointly developed drone

In June, Egyptian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa met his Turkish counterpart, General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, to discuss ways to strengthen military cooperation and exchange expertise. The two sides also signed the final protocol of the fifth meeting of the Joint Military Cooperation Committee, which included activities to promote cooperation between the two armies.   

In July, Egyptian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief and Minister of Defence and Military Production Lieutenant General Ashraf Salem Zaher visited Turkey for talks on strengthening military cooperation and expanding joint activities.

The series of high-level military visits reflects Cairo and Ankara’s interest in developing defence ties following an improvement in political relations and the resumption of consultation mechanisms.

READ: Egypt, Turkey agree to cooperate on defence industries