Egypt to remove senior military officers from posts as Sisi tightens grip on armed forces

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ratified an overhaul of Egypt's military which will see senior officers removed from their roles, The New Arab's Arabic-language service reported on Friday.

The move is seen as an attempt by Sisi to consolidate control over the military and stifle circles of influence from developing.

Sisi approved the move in a meeting with Defence Minister Mohamed Zaki on 24 June, military sources told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

The military has recently seen sweeping reshuffles, with "senior positions within the armed forces that were usually occupied by high-ranking officers, such as the brigade, now occupied by officers of lower ranks, such as a colonel or brigadier general", a source added. 

Around a third of the military council was overthrown in the reshuffle, with commanders in its eastern, central and northern regions, as well as the commander of Egypt's Second Field Army, also replaced.

Egypt's Supreme Military Council is expected to announce promotions and demotions on Friday. 

Since taking power from Egypt's first democratically-elected president in 2013, Sisi has led a sweeping crackdown on dissent and consolidated control on the country.

While also crushing opposition from political rivals, journalists and activists, the military chief-turned-president has also sought to assert his control over Egypt's armed forces.

In 2018, Sisi removed former Defence Minister Sedki Sobhy despite his role being fortified by an exceptional article in the country's 2014 constitution.

Sisi said at the time that Sobhy's removal came after "consultation and coordination" with the army's Supreme Council.