The Border Guard Corps is a militarised corps subordinate to the Egyptian Army. It is tasked with the protection of Egypt's land and sea borders. The corps is in charge of protecting the Suez Canal and stopping the movement of illegal immigrants, smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal narcotics into and out of Egypt.[1]
As of 2020, the corps fell under the control of the Ministry of Interior. According to the IISS Military Balance 2020, it comprised an estimated 25,000, in 18 border regiments, with light weapons only.[2]
In total, the Border Guards are responsible for securing over 6000 km of land and sea borders. They work in cooperation with the Egyptian Armed Forces to counter infiltration.
The Border Guards have a particular responsibility in securing the 13 kmGaza Strip border where thousands of tunnels have brought in narcotics, weapons, and militants into the Sinai Desert.[3][4]
Originally founded as the Frontier Corps in 1878, in 1917, under the administration of Sultan Hussein Kamel, the Department of Border and Coastal Management was created a sub-department of the Ministry of Finance, and under it the Border Guard was founded.
In 1939, the Coast Guard was separated into the Ministry of War, later forming the basis for the founding of the modern Egyptian Navy.
On 6 July 1972, the Command of the Border Guard was created from the merging of the other departments and was given to the Army, rejoining the Coast Guard and Border Guard.[1]
The Egyptian Border Guard participated in World War II including stopping the sabotage of Matrouh-Alexandria railway in the Fukah region by German soldiers and shot down an axis plane and apprehended it's pilot.[5]
In the Six Day War, the Egyptian Border Guard intercepted and captured Israeli frogmen in the Port of Alexandria as well as supporting the retreat of Egyptian troops from Sinai using fishing boats and taking part in the battle of Ras Aleishi.[6]
A border guard soldier guarding the waterway of the Suez canal.
