What is the history behind the Egyptian military presence in Sinai

Introduction

The Sinai Peninsula belongs to Egypt. It is an integral part of Egyptian territory and has been under Egyptian sovereignty for thousands of years, with a few brief periods of foreign occupation. Here are the key points regarding the ownership and status of the Sinai Peninsula:

Historical Ownership

The Sinai Peninsula has been part of Egypt since ancient times, dating back to the First Dynasty of ancient Egypt around 3100 BC.

Throughout history, various empires and powers have controlled the region, including the Ottoman Empire (1517-1867) and the United Kingdom (1882-1956).

Modern Status

Today, the Sinai Peninsula is administratively divided into two Egyptian governorates: North Sinai (Shamal Sina) and South Sinai (Ganub Sina).

The peninsula covers approximately 60,000 square kilometers, which is about 6% of Egypt’s total area.

The Egyptian military presence in the Sinai Peninsula has a complex history, evolving significantly over the past decades due to security challenges and changing geopolitical dynamics. Here’s an overview of the key developments.

Historical Context

The Sinai Peninsula has been a strategically important region for Egypt, serving as a buffer zone with Israel. Following the 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, the peninsula was largely demilitarized, with limitations on Egyptian troop deployments.

Rise of Insurgency

The situation changed dramatically after the 2011 Egyptian Revolution:

In 2011, following the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak, a security vacuum emerged in Sinai.

Islamist militants, including local Bedouin tribesmen, began launching attacks on government forces.

By 2014, the insurgency intensified when Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, the prominent terrorist group in Sinai, pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) and became known as Wilayat Sinai (Sinai Province).

Egyptian Military Response

The Egyptian government responded to the growing threat with several major military operations:

Operation Eagle (2011): The first major counterterrorism campaign, deploying about 1,000 troops and armored vehicles to North Sinai.

Operation Sinai (2012): Launched after a major attack on Egyptian forces in Rafah.

Operation Martyr’s Right (2015): A large-scale operation following coordinated attacks by militants on multiple military facilities.

Operation Sinai (2018): The most comprehensive campaign to date, involving land, naval, and air forces across the country.

Escalation and Treaty Modifications

To combat the insurgency effectively, Egypt has significantly increased its military presence in Sinai:

By 2018, Egypt had deployed 88 battalions comprising 42,000 soldiers in Sinai, up from 41 battalions and 25,000 soldiers the previous year.

This increase required modifications to the 1979 peace treaty restrictions, which Israel agreed to due to shared concerns about terrorism.

Recent Developments

As of 2025, the Egyptian military presence in Sinai remains substantial:

Egypt has maintained a force of at least double the number of troops originally permitted by the peace treaty.

The military is equipped with artillery and vehicles not allowed by the original treaty, including an estimated 200 additional tanks beyond the 230 allowed in Zone A.

These deployments have been crucial in Egypt’s campaign against IS, but they have also altered the status quo in what was stipulated to be a largely demilitarized buffer zone.

Shift in Strategy

In recent years, Egypt has adjusted its approach:

The military has moved away from heavy-handed tactics towards a more nimble counterinsurgency strategy.

There’s been an increased focus on cooperation with local Bedouin tribes, which has played a decisive role in weakening Wilayat Sinai.

Israel has provided tactical air support and intelligence, further strengthening the counterinsurgency efforts.

Conclusion

While the increased Egyptian military presence has been effective in combating terrorism, it has also raised concerns about the long-term implications for regional stability and the integrity of the peace treaty with Israel.