Turkey and Egypt Strengthen Security Cooperation Amid Middle East Conflict

Turkey and Egypt have intensified their security cooperation against the backdrop of the prolonged Middle East conflict, including the recent Operation Iron Swords. This collaboration, once considered unlikely, has seen both countries conduct several joint military exercises. In February, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met in Cairo to discuss further cooperation. Recently, Turkish F-16 fighter jets participated in a joint air exercise in Egypt, followed by Egyptian F-16s taking part in a similar drill in Konya, Turkey.

This military partnership is notable given the historical tensions between the two nations. Erdoğan's affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood, which Egypt's el-Sisi views as a major internal threat, and Turkey's 2019 maritime boundary agreement with Libya, challenging Greek and Egyptian interests, had previously hindered cooperation. However, shared strategic concerns, particularly regarding Iran's influence and the economic damage caused by Houthi rebels blocking the Bab al-Mandeb strait, have driven Ankara and Cairo closer.

Despite the security collaboration, diplomatic relations remain complex. Egypt maintains a peace treaty with Israel and an embassy in Tel Aviv, but its significant military buildup in recent years raises questions in Jerusalem, given the lack of direct threats on Egypt's borders. Conversely, Turkey openly views Israel as a major regional threat, with Erdoğan promoting conspiracy theories about Israeli territorial ambitions, which, while unfounded, resonate with some segments of Turkish society.

The evolving Turkey-Egypt security ties reflect shifting alliances and shared concerns in a volatile regional environment, though underlying political and ideological differences persist. The two countries continue to engage in joint military exercises and high-level talks, signaling a pragmatic approach to regional security challenges.