Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt’s Armed Forces continue to shoulder significant responsibilities amid growing regional and international instability, according to Brigadier General Gharib Abdelhafiz Gharib, the official military spokesperson. He emphasized that the legacy of the October 6 War remains a lasting symbol of national pride and a testament to the resilience and unity of the Egyptian people.
Abdelhafiz said the 1973 victory restored Arab dignity and proved Egypt’s ability to reclaim its land and safeguard its future. He stressed that the triumph was made possible by the unwavering support of the Egyptian public and the deep conviction of the country’s soldiers in the justice of their cause.
He noted that the October War was not merely a military confrontation but a national epic that began with the War of Attrition and culminated in the decision to cross the Suez Canal. According to Abdelhafiz, six years of rigorous, continuous training enabled the armed forces to achieve what many considered impossible, delivering a decisive breakthrough in just six hours.
The spokesperson highlighted the Egyptian soldier as “the true surprise” of the war, demonstrating determination, faith and the ability to impose a just peace and restore Egyptian territory. He also underscored the scale of the military achievement: deploying forces along the entire front from Port Said to Suez, overcoming the heavily fortified Bar Lev Line and crossing the Suez Canal under the protection of an advanced air-defense system, supported by pivotal roles played by the air force and artillery.
Abdelhafiz said today’s rapidly shifting regional landscape has imposed new and demanding responsibilities on Egypt’s military. He revealed that, between the second half of 2024 and June 2025, the armed forces conducted more than 16 successful operations across various border regions, resulting in the seizure of over 22 tons of narcotics, large quantities of weapons and ammunition, and the prevention of multiple illegal infiltration and migration attempts.
He affirmed that Egypt has adopted a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy combining security, ideological, developmental and social pillars. This integrated approach, he said, has drastically reduced militant activity and won international praise, including recognition from a recent United Nations report on Egypt’s counterterrorism efforts.
Human capital, Abdelhafiz stressed, remains at the heart of the military’s modernization strategy. The armed forces continue to develop the skills and combat readiness of their personnel through advanced training programs and access to the latest military technologies. Between 2021 and 2025, Egypt conducted 95 joint and cross-border exercises to enhance interoperability and expand operational expertise.
Among these, he noted, the Bright Star exercise stands out as one of the world’s largest multinational military drills. Its most recent edition included 44 participating countries, reflecting broad international confidence in the professionalism and capabilities of Egypt’s military.
The spokesperson added that since 2013, Egypt has undergone an unprecedented transformation in its armament systems, diversifying sources of weaponry and modernizing the navy, air force and air-defense units. Major developments include the establishment of the Northern and Southern fleets and the introduction of state-of-the-art naval vessels, multirole fighter jets and advanced tactical systems.
Concluding his remarks, Abdelhafiz reaffirmed that the Egyptian Armed Forces will remain the nation’s shield and sword, committed to preserving security, stability and the country’s strategic interests. He called on Egyptians to continue uniting behind their military to secure a future worthy of the nation’s aspirations.
