The “Muslim Brotherhood,” deemed a terrorist organization in Egypt, shares historical ties with Hamas, a group that operated alongside it within Egypt until 2017, engaging in terrorist activities aimed at undermining President a-Sisi’s administration.
Egypt’s primary worry revolves around the impact of the Gaza conflict on its internal stability and the continuity of President a-Sisi’s leadership.
Given the “Muslim Brotherhood’s” status as the largest opposition entity in Egypt, coupled with its affiliation with Hamas, there are concerns that it may seek to destabilize the government.
President a-Sisi declared the movement a terrorist group upon assuming power in 2014.
Egyptian Interior Minister Mahmoud Tawfik cautioned on January 25 against the “Muslim Brotherhood’s” efforts to revive propaganda activities, disseminating false information to incite violence and discontent.
Speaking during the 72nd Police Day event, he emphasized the movement’s attempts to disrupt governmental stability and social harmony.
Tawfik revealed that Egyptian security forces had thwarted 129 attempts to establish terrorist cells over the past year and had taken measures against commercial entities financing the “Muslim Brotherhood’s” infrastructure.
Furthermore, Egyptian security officials indicate that despite significant setbacks suffered by the “Muslim Brotherhood” within Egypt, the group is attempting to rebuild its network abroad, notably in Turkey and Syria.
In Syria, it operates in areas conducive to terrorist activities, training members in sabotage and weapon use.
Internal divisions and leadership disputes have also weakened the “Muslim Brotherhood,” diminishing its influence compared to its peak between 2011 and 2013.
Egyptian security agencies closely monitor attempts by the movement’s overseas leadership to re-establish connections with activists within Egypt, with the aim of inciting terrorist acts against the regime.
Minister Tawfik warned against the exploitation of regional instability, such as that seen in the Gaza conflict, by terrorist organizations to establish new cells and recruit members via social networks, urging vigilance against potential violence directed at state institutions.
Despite ongoing efforts to dismantle the “Muslim Brotherhood,” dormant cells await opportunities to carry out attacks.
Moreover, the movement’s leadership abroad is engaged in a duplicitous game, attempting reconciliation with the Egyptian government, which staunchly opposes any such overtures.
Egyptian prisons house numerous “Muslim Brotherhood” leaders convicted of violence and incitement, while others have fled to countries like Turkey and Qatar.
Egyptian intelligence is particularly concerned about the possibility of Hamas operatives from Gaza entering Egyptian territory post-conflict, potentially joining forces with “Muslim Brotherhood” and ISIS affiliates in North Sinai to launch coordinated terrorist attacks against the regime, reminiscent of activities observed until 2017.
