A leaked US intelligence document shows that Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi recently ordered the production of 40,000 rockets to be secretly shipped to Russia. The Washington Post reported that it obtained this information from “a trove of images of classified files” in February and March, over Discord — a popular gaming platform.
Among the top-secret files, a document dated 17 February summarised alleged conversations between Sisi and senior Egyptian military officials, which include references to plans to supply artillery rounds and gunpowder to Russia. According to the document, Sisi also instructed officials to keep the rockets’ production and shipment covert to “avoid problems with the West.”
Egypt’s Stance
Egyptian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid commented on the leak saying that his country’s position on the crisis “from the beginning is based on non-involvement… and committing to maintain equal distance with both sides, while affirming Egypt’s support to the UN charter and international law in the UN General Assembly resolutions.”
“We continue to urge both parties to cease hostilities and reach a political solution through negotiations.”
BREAKING: The Washington Post reports a leaked US intelligence document says that Egypt's President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi ordered the production of up to 40,000 rockets to be secretly sent to Russia
— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) April 10, 2023
US, Russia Deny Report
US National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby told reporters that the US has “seen no indication that Egypt is providing lethal weaponry capabilities to Russia.”
Kirby further stressed that Egypt remained “a significant security partner” and would continue to remain so, as the US “has a longstanding defence relationship with Egypt that goes back many, many years.”
Similarly, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the information “another hoax.” “It looks like another hoax, of which there are plenty now. This is how you should treat such publications,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh announced that the Justice Department is investigating the leak of classified documents.
US-Egypt Ties
Maintaining strong ties with Egypt is one of the main pillars of America’s Middle East policy. The State Department has said that promoting a stable and prosperous Egypt “will continue to be a core objective of US policy.”
According to estimates, the US has provided Egypt with over $50 billion in military aid and more than $30 billion in economic assistance since 1978.