Israeli media has warned of a massive arms deal between Egypt and Turkey that could upset the balance of power in the region.
In an article titled ‘Bad News for Israel’, the Israeli newspaper Maariv reported that an announcement is expected soon regarding a deal for drones between Egypt and Turkey.
This will come as part of a series of deals that will be revealed during the upcoming visit of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi to Ankara.
Maariv indicated that the visit of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to Cairo took place in the deliberate absence of the Egyptian media, as it also included a tour of North Sinai.
A Hebrew publication further reported that an imminent announcement is expected regarding a deal for ‘Bayraktar’ drones, as requested by Cairo.
This agreement is intended to facilitate future maintenance and production of these drones within Egypt’s military manufacturing facilities. The deal’s official unveiling had been anticipated earlier this year but was post-poned.
A sweeping trade embargo, encompassing all imports and exports, was imposed on Israel by Turkey in May.
Concurrently, relations between Israel and both Turkey and Egypt have been marked by considerable tension. The Israeli military’s continued control of the Rafah crossing has further strained ties with Cairo.
While Israel’s regional relationships have soured, Ankara and Cairo have moved closer together recently.
