July 20, 2024
Release Number 20240720-02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TAMPA, Fla. – Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM), visited Cairo, Egypt, from July 17-18, 2024. While in Cairo, Gen. Kurilla met with Gen. Abdel Majeed Saqr, Minister of Defense and Military Production, and Lt. Gen. Ahmed Fathy Khalifa, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces.
Gen. Kurilla congratulated both leaders on their recent appointments to their positions. He reaffirmed CENTCOM's commitment to working closely with Egypt to address regional challenges and enhance security through the strong, 45-year mil-to-mil relationship. Their discussions focused on regional security concerns in Gaza and the Red Sea and the need to reestablish security.
Gen. Kurilla also visited the Suez Canal Authority where he met with Adm. Osama Rabie, the Authority’s Chairman and Managing Director. The visit focused on the economic impact of attacks on international shipping from Iranian backed Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.