Special Operations.Com

Egypt 

Special Operations and Counterterrorist Forces

Above: Special operations soldiers from the U.S., Egypt and United Arab Emirates practice fast roping from a helicopter during Exercise Bright Star 98 at the Mubarek Military City compound outside Cairo, Egypt, on Oct. 16, 1997

"Special Operations Troops"

The Special Operations Troops of the Central Security Forces (a branch of the Ministry of the Interior) has been used to conduct VIP protection and SWAT-type missions and could be called on to provide perimeter security in the event Unit 777 was not yet on-scene.

Unit 333 - Hostage Rescue Force ("HRF")

This unit, established in the 1980s, is based in southern Cairo and has approximately 100 members. Press accounts give credit to the police in their current campaign against the Islamic fundamentalists. This unit is part of State Security and run by the Ministry of the Interior.  Unit 333 is responsible for all CT operations within Egypt, though reports indicate that they are superceded by Unit 777 (reasons unknown).

Unit 999 

This unit specializes in direct action and reconnaissance.

Unnamed

There also reportedly exists an unnamed unit, a 21-man Army platoon that specializes exclusively in maritime operations.

777 Combat Unit (Al-Sa'iqa / `Thunderbolt Force' / 'Unit 777')

Prior to 1972, and in the years prior, the Egyptian government played host to tens of thousands of military advisers from the Soviet Union. Thus, it came as a surprise in 1972 when then-President Anwar Sadat announced the expulsion of these forces and his intention to explore closer ties with Israel. Western intelligence provided evidence to Sadat that this event was not sitting well with several Middle Eastern terrorist organizations and that some had begun to take steps to initiate attacks against Egypt. In response, Egypt formed its own counterterrorist unit in 1978, known as Unit 777.  This unit is reportedly limited by a presidential directive to conduct CT and HR missions on board Egyptian and foreign airliners as well as ships in the Red Sea and Mediterranean.

Initial training for the team came from the United States as far back as 1981. Yet, despite the assistance, Unit 777 apparently was not provided sufficient equipment in the early days, and operational readiness suffered. This, along with heavy rotations of operators in and out of the unit, were the primary contributors in what would become the most bungled and tragic counterterrorist operation on record (see Section) on November 23, 1985. After this event, the United States refused to participate in further training with the unit (this has since been reversed). Today, the 250-300 -man Unit 777 is a significantly improved force. They fall under the command of the Army Commando Command, both of whom are based in Cairo. Force 777 trains with the help of GSG-9, GIGN, and Delta Force. All members are qualified in static-line airborne operations, although any skill they may have with HALO is unclear. The primary operations of Force 777 involve the suppression of the Muslim Brotherhood. There have been rumors that 777 has conducted cross-border operations, although this cannot be confirmed.

o Correct name of the Unit 777 in EG Army database is [ 777 Combat Unit ], vice "Unit 777."

The Arabic name is "Wehdat 777 Qataal" = "Unit Number 777 Combat" (reflects the British system and sequence for naming and designating military units => 

type unit + numerical designator or honorific name + special qualification/mission

Example of a U.S. equivalent under this designation system would be [ division + 82 + airborne (actually "parachutes" in Arabic) ]

o Your post is correct about the assignment of 777 CU under the Commando Forces HQ (Arabic: "Qiyaadat quwaat al-Sa'iqa" = Arabic: Headquarters of the Commando Forces). HQ building is in Nasser City suburb of Cairo.

The English term "commando" has a broad meaning and is applied as a generic descriptor. When Egyptian military are discussing their Army's SOF with English-speakers, they use the English term "Commandos" as a familiar and by-now generally-understood reference. However, the actual Arabic term of reference is Al-Sa'iqa.

Al-Sa'iqa = the thunderbolt => sudden assault and shock effect = catchall term is used generically in most Arab military forces; rough U.S. equivalent would be SOF (all elements)

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Al-Mughaaweer = the raiders 

This term is not used in Egypt, but found in SOF elements in Kuwait (battalion, pre-1990) and UAE. U.S. equivalent = rangers

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Al-Quwaat Al-Khaasat = the Special Forces (term usually used in Arab countries other than Egypt, i.e., Jordan)

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

EG Army Airborne units = parachute insertion; conventional airborne assault

EG Army Air Assault units = helo-borne insertion, via ancient Russian Mi-8 Hips, mostly; sometimes via UK-made Sea Knights when they are operable and available from the EG Air Force). 

These air assault units conduct airmobile operations [ a la U.S. 101st Abn Div (AASLT)]. Personnel in Air Assault units are also cross-qualified in  parachute insertion, but that is the secondary and least-preferred method of insertion. 

Breakout in a three-battalion air assault brigade is usually: 

o one battalion maintained and trained as also airborne-qualified element (and with parachutes in contingency stock for only that one battalion) 

o other two battalions remain oriented mostly on air assault operations. 

They comprise a mixed bag of independent brigades, rather than any divisional structure. All such units belong to Commando Forces Command. Brigades can be parceled out to the commander of a numbered Field Army to enable option of assaults and tactical special operations.

Neither type of unit (airborne or air assault) is capable, equipped, predisposed or qualified for CT/HRF missions. The 777 Combat Unit has the monopoly on performing that mission inside Egypt and at sovereign Egyptian territory overseas (i.e., Egyptian embassies, consulates, and the like).

Command and control system and procedures of the Egyptian Army's SOF structure are still chaotic and "maturing."

Below: Egyptian commandos use one of their ships to launch combat rubber raiding craft for an amphibious landing at Abd-el Kerim beach on Egypt's Mediterranean coast during Exercise Bright Star 98 on Oct. 25, 1997. Bright Star 98 is a joint/combined coalition tactical air, ground, naval and special operations forces field training exercise in Egypt. Members of the U.S. Central Command's Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine and special operations components, and members of the Air and Army National Guard, and forces from Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, France, Italy and the United Kingdom are taking part in the exercise. The exercise is intended to improve readiness and interoperability between U.S., Egyptian and coalition forces. The dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) is anchored in the background. DoD photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Benjamin D. Olvey, U.S. Navy.

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