Egypt, UAE Agree to Bolster Military, Security Cooperation

Sisi during a meeting with the Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces. (Egyptian Presidency)
Sisi during a meeting with the Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces. (Egyptian Presidency)
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Egypt, UAE Agree to Bolster Military, Security Cooperation

Sisi during a meeting with the Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces. (Egyptian Presidency)
Sisi during a meeting with the Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces. (Egyptian Presidency)

Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to continue security and military coordination and consultations.

This came during a meeting between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held and Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces Lt. General Hamad Mohammed Thani al-Rumaithi in Cairo on Wednesday.

Egyptian Minister of Defense and Military Production General Mohamed Zaki and UAE Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative in the Arab League Mariam Khalifa al-Kaabi attended the meeting.

Presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said Sisi conveyed his most sincere greetings to President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, wishing the UAE further development and prosperity.

He affirmed that the relationship between the two countries is the cornerstone of the stability of the Middle East and the Arab region.

Rumaithi underscored the deep-rooted ties between the two countries.

He said the UAE is keen to enhance the bilateral strategic cooperation in all areas, most notably in exchanging military expertise.

Special forces from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Greece conducted a four-way joint military exercise in September.

Dubbed ‘Hercules-21,’ the four-day drill was held for the first time at the Special Forces Training Center in Peramos, Greece, and it aimed at confronting terrorist elements and exchanging expertise.

The military exercise included lectures on countering terrorism, training on managing joint combat operations among the participating elements, training on fighting in closed and open spaces, hostage rescue and medical evacuation.

Forces were also trained to carry out airdrops and sea landings from the thunderbolt and parachutes as well as raids.

In November, naval and air forces from Egypt, the UAE, Greece and Cyprus also held a joint military exercise, dubbed Medusa 11, in Greece.



Oman, Qatar, Bahrain Condemn Israel's Targeting of Iran

An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel April 14, 2024. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel April 14, 2024. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
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Oman, Qatar, Bahrain Condemn Israel's Targeting of Iran

An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel April 14, 2024. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel April 14, 2024. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

The Sultanate of Oman strongly condemned the Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory on Saturday.
The Sultanate said these attacks are a flagrant violation of Iran's sovereignty and a clear breach of international law, and expressed concern that such escalatory actions fuel the cycle of violence and undermine efforts to de-escalate tensions through peaceful and diplomatic means. It called on the international community to take decisive action to halt the aggression and end these violations.
In a statement, the Omani Foreign Ministry urged that the cause of regional crises be addressed, by ending the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestinian and Arab territories, and its ongoing aggression in Gaza Strip.
The Sultanate also emphasized the need to abide by UN Security Council resolutions, grant the Palestinian people their right to self-determination, and establish an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, within the framework of the two-state solution and in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative, to ensure a just and lasting peace for all parties concerned.

Qatar also strongly condemned Israel's targeting of Iran, deeming it a flagrant violation of Iran's sovereignty and a clear breach of the principles of international law.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing deep concern over the serious repercussions that may result from this escalation, and called on all concerned parties to exercise restraint, resolve differences through dialogue and peaceful means, and avoid anything that would destabilize security and stability in the region.
The ministry renewed Qatar's call on the international community to intensify efforts aimed at calming and de-escalating the situation, and ending the suffering of the peoples of the region, especially in Gaza and Lebanon.

For its part, Bahrain's foreign ministry condemned military action against Iran, urging an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians and reduce regional tensions. 

The ministry urged all parties to exercise restraint and prioritize de-escalation to prevent the expansion of conflict and war. It also emphasized the need to revive peace negotiations to achieve regional security and stability, and ensure that all peoples in the region live in dignity, safety, peace, and prosperity.