According to The National, a prominent Emirates-based newspaper, Eritrea and Egypt are currently exploring a potential military cooperation deal, which includes intelligence sharing and joint efforts to secure the vital Red Sea shipping routes.
These routes have been severely disrupted by ongoing attacks from the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, raising concerns over maritime security. Such a partnership could strengthen both countries’ ability to protect this crucial region from external threats.
The discussion happened following a significant visit to Asmara last weekend by Egyptian intelligence chief Gen. Kamal Abbas, a close advisor to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, accompanied by Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdelatty.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry reported that the delegation delivered a message from President El-Sisi to Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, focused on “bolstering and developing bilateral relations in all fields”.
The statement also noted that the delegation listened to President Afwerki’s perspectives on developments in the Red Sea, emphasizing the importance of creating favorable conditions to restore normal maritime shipping and international trade through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the critical passage connecting the Red Sea and Arabian Sea.
Both Eritrea and Egypt are members of the Saudi-led “Council of Arab and African Coastal States of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.”
This council, which includes eight coastal states, aims to promote security and stability in the Red Sea region. By working together within this framework, Eritrea and Egypt could enhance their collective security capabilities and contribute to safeguarding one of the world’s most important maritime passageways.
In the short term, there is growing consensus that Eritrea would benefit from hosting a contingent of coalition forces, possibly led by Egypt, at the former Emirati-built military base near the port of Assab.
This base, strategically located just across from Yemen, offers a prime location for naval and air force operations that could protect the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden from further disruptions.
Given the increasingly unpredictable political and security landscape in the Horn of Africa, the urgency to implement this plan cannot be overstated. Regional stability hinges on strong partnerships and decisive actions, and we hope to see this military cooperation agreement come to fruition in the near future. [TN]