Hasm 2020: Egyptian Army carries out wide-scale exercise to face ‘mercenaries of irregular armies’

CAIRO – 9 July 2020: The main branches of the Egyptian Armed Forces on Thursday carried out the “Hasm 2020” maneuver on the Western strategic direction, including a training for the Air Force to face mercenaries of irregular armies and target their hotbeds, Tamer Al-Refaei, the military spokesman said in a statement.

Minister of Defense Mohamed Zaki and Chief-of-staff of the Army Mohamed Farid attended the training. The maneuver has continued for many days.

During the training, a number of helicopters have raided and destroyed a hideout housing a number of mercenaries. Also, under the cover of artillery fire, acts of warfare have been carried out within the framework of the maneuver. Also, live ammunition was fired by military tanks.

 

 

 

In June, Sisi checked on the forces in the Western Military Zone, telling them, "The Egyptian Army is one of the strongest in the region. Yet, it is a wise army that protects but doesn't threaten, and is able to defend the national security of Egypt within and beyond its borders."

The president said that the Air Force, the Special Forces, and the Border Guards have been securing 1,200 kilometers of borders with Libya for seven years, and accomplishing missions that have not been disclosed.

"I'm so happy to meet you today. I got assured about the high status of your combat and technical competence. I see the Air Force and Special Forces are ready to accomplish missions," the president told forces.

"Be ready to accomplish any mission whether here within our borders or - if needed – beyond our borders," president Sisi addressed the Air Force elements in the Western Military Zone.

Presidency Spokesperson Bassam Radi announced the news saying that Minister Mohamed Zaki, Chief of Staff Mohamed Farid, and branch commanders were present.

The president warned in his speech in Sidi Barani district in Matrouh Governorate bordering Libya against the foreign intervention in Libya for it composes a threat to regional, European, and global security and stability.

The president asserted the withdrawal of mercenaries from Libya, and the necessity that militias give up their arms to the Libyan National Army (LNA).

"Any direct intervention by Egypt in Libya has become legitimate in line with UNSC resolutions, and upon the call of the legitimate authority in Libya," President Sisi said.

The president underlined the outcomes of Germany Conference held in January stating that all foreign powers shall refrain from supplying arms to Libyan armed groups.

"If Egypt had illegitimate goals in Libya, we would have intervened years ago. We would not accept that history documents that we intervened in time of Libya's weakness…Jufrah and Sirte are a red line…The current line must be maintained. The party who would not respect it, would attain neither the west nor the east. The political process must go forward," the president tells a representative of Libyan tribes.