US to release $1.2 Billion as military assistance to Egypt

CAIRO – 10 September 2018: United States' Secretary of State Mike Pompeo authorized Saturday the release of $1.2 billion in military aid to Egypt, according to the Associated Press.

The State Department announced that Pompeo authorized the release by signing the necessary national security waivers, allowing the money to be spent, according to a statement provided to the Associated Press. The US Congress now has 15 days to provide its comments on Pompeo’s authorization before steps are taken to send the money to Egypt.

On September 8, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi met with Commander of the United States Central Command, Joseph L. Votel, where they discussed the military cooperation between the two countries, according to presidency spokesperson Bassam Radi.

According to Radi’s statement, the U.S. commander asserted the importance of conducting the joint military drill, Bright Star 2018, between the Armed Forces of the two countries, especially in light of the latest developments in the region.

The drill will take place at Mohamed Naguib Military Base, along with a maritime exercise in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Bright Star comes within the framework of joint drills conducted by the Egyptian Armed Forces to promote military relations with friendly states.

On August 31, U.S. forces and equipment arrived at an Egyptian airbase in preparation for the joint military exercises, Bright Star 2018, set to be conducted from Sept. 8 to 20.

Land, naval and air forces from Egypt, US, Greece, Jordan, Britain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Italy and France will take part in the drills.

Several countries, including Lebanon, Rwanda, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, South Africa, Senegal and Canada, were invited to monitor the exercises.

The drills are meant to exchange expertise among participating forces, hone their skills, develop operations and training mechanisms in combating terrorism as well as joint planning and management of military operations and train the forces to confront maritime security threats.