In the world of politics, words are neither alike nor equal. Some are uttered only to fade into oblivion with the passing of days and years. Others, however, remain etched in the memory of nations and the minds of peoples, never disappearing even as they await the test of time and the sincerity of human resolve.
In 2014, when Egypt was struggling to heal the deep wounds inflicted by the events of January 2011, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, then at the beginning of his presidency, articulated Egypt’s position on the security of its fellow Arab states in the Gulf with a phrase that has since become famous: “Masafet el-Sikka,” (implying readiness to come swiftly to their aid).
Today, the Egyptian president’s words appear to be facing a genuine test in a region where threats are no longer confined within the traditional borders of states. Their dangers extend across the entire region, and the flames, God forbid, could engulf countries near and far.
Last Saturday, in a speech at the Egyptian Military Academy, President Sisi demonstrated that “Masafet el-Sikka” is a phrase that encapsulates the relationship between geography and political will. The value of a promise is not measured by the fervor of the moment in which it was made, but by its ability to endure when the time comes to honor it.
The expression, in effect, embodied a major political pledge, rooted in the national conviction that Gulf security is integral to Egypt’s own security, and that the geographical distance between Cairo and Riyadh can never become an obstacle in times of grave crisis, particularly when it concerns brotherly nations bound to Egypt by deep historical ties, geography, and a shared destiny in an alarmingly volatile geopolitical world.
“Masafet el-Sikka” is no longer merely an emotionally charged phrase, however sincere and grounded in reality. In recent days, it has been translated into political and constitutional measures aimed at putting that commitment into practice and warding off the dangers facing Saudi Arabia, both now and in the future.
President Sisi’s announcement that Egypt is prepared to take the necessary measures to defend Saudi Arabia, at the direction of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, followed by his request that the Egyptian parliament convene and grant authorization as stipulated by the Constitution, signals a transition from a “true promise” to “faithful implementation.”
To President Sisi’s credit, he openly acknowledged the support Egypt received from its Arab brothers in times of hardship, reminding Egyptians of the gas and diesel shipments and vessels carrying wheat that they provided.
It should be stressed, however, that Sisi’s message to all parties began, as it has for some time, with a call to end the ongoing war in the Gulf region. He emphasized that Egypt is not seeking to attack anyone, but rather to defend its brothers, and that it has no desire for escalation.
It is no secret that Egyptian diplomacy, since the military confrontations in the region began on February 28, has made clear and sustained efforts toward de-escalation and the pursuit of peaceful options. The history of wars, both recent and distant, teaches us that in the end, everyone sits down at the negotiating table and seeks ways to achieve peaceful coexistence.
The story of Cairo and Riyadh is a long-standing narrative of solidarity between brothers in good times and bad, and recent history offers numerous examples of this close relationship.
One need only recall the words of the late King Faisal bin Abdulaziz at the conference held in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, at the end of August 1967, only weeks after the Six-Day War: “Egypt commands; it does not ask.” Those words alone convey the significance and stature Egypt holds among the people of brotherly Saudi Arabia.
History turned once again in August 1989, amid Saddam Hussein’s threats to the entire region. At that time, the late President Hosni Mubarak did not hesitate to act swiftly and fulfill what he regarded as his duty.
Nor can one forget the positions taken by the late King Abdullah and Prince Saud al-Faisal, who stood by a wounded Egypt and defended it against those who sought to exploit its weakness during that painful period.
Today, “Masafet el-Sikka” is evolving from a political phrase into a practical doctrine of strategic solidarity.
Yet the matter should not be reduced to the heat and intensity of the present crisis, nor merely to the militarization and dangers of the current situation. Rather, it points toward a broader path: building a sustainable Arab defense framework for coordination, containing potential threats, and preventing attacks by militias from turning, at any given moment, into open arenas of fire and destruction.
