Members of the Alabama National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 173rd Infantry Regiment, are gearing up for a deployment to the Middle East, with around 200 soldiers set to head out in support of an international peacekeeping effort. Based primarily in Enterprise, the unit includes personnel from various locations across the state, and preparations have been underway in recent days. In Foley, for instance, approximately 85 soldiers from C Company spent a Saturday inspecting their equipment and loading their luggage, marking the start of what will be a year-long assignment overseas. They expect to depart for Egypt in about a month, around early September 2025, following a formal deployment ceremony held on 3 August at their home base. Family members gathered to offer their encouragement, sharing emotional moments as the troops readied themselves for the extended separation, a common scene in military communities where such send-offs blend pride with apprehension.
This mobilisation forms part of the United States’ ongoing commitment to the Multinational Force and Observers, an independent international body tasked with overseeing the terms of the 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. Specifically, the Alabama soldiers will integrate into Task Force Sinai, where their primary role involves monitoring compliance with the security arrangements outlined in the agreement, helping to preserve stability in the Sinai Peninsula. The MFO, established in 1981 after efforts to involve the United Nations fell through, operates outside the UN framework but draws contributions from multiple nations to enforce limitations on military presence in designated zones across the region. These zones—A, B, and C in Egyptian Sinai, and D along the Israeli border—restrict troop numbers and equipment to prevent escalations, a setup rooted in the Camp David Accords brokered by the United States under President Jimmy Carter. The organisation maintains bases in the Sinai, with its headquarters in Rome, and relies on rotational deployments from partner countries including Australia, Canada, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Fiji, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, and the United States to carry out patrols, observations, and verification activities.
For the Alabama National Guard, this mission represents a shift from domestic duties to an overseas operation focused on diplomacy through presence, where the emphasis lies on deterrence and reporting rather than direct combat. The soldiers will conduct routine patrols, man observation posts, and assist in verifying that both Egypt and Israel adhere to the treaty’s stipulations, all while operating in a harsh desert environment that demands vigilance against potential threats like smuggling or insurgent activities. Such deployments are not uncommon for National Guard units; previous rotations have seen American forces from various states contribute to the MFO, building on a tradition of reserve components supporting global stability efforts. In this case, the 173rd Infantry Regiment’s involvement underscores the United States’ role as a key provider of the infantry battalion for Task Force Sinai, ensuring a steady American footprint in the mission.
The peace treaty itself, signed in 1979, ended decades of hostility between Egypt and Israel, paving the way for normalised relations and cooperation on shared concerns. Over the years, the two nations have worked together on security matters in the Sinai, including joint operations to combat terrorism and curb arms smuggling that could destabilise the area. This collaboration has proven vital in addressing threats from groups affiliated with ISIS or Hamas, which have at times sought to exploit the peninsula’s vast, rugged terrain for illicit activities. The MFO’s presence acts as a neutral buffer, facilitating communication and confidence-building measures that keep the treaty intact amid broader regional volatility.
Yet, the current state of Egypt-Israel relations reveals a more nuanced picture, blending necessary partnership with persistent strains. Often characterised as a “cold” peace, the ties rest on pragmatic security needs rather than deep trust, with underlying suspicions occasionally surfacing. Recent developments, particularly the ongoing conflict in Gaza, have intensified these challenges. Israel’s military operations and stated intentions to exert greater control over Gaza City have raised alarms in Cairo, which fears a humanitarian catastrophe that could spill over into Egyptian territory. Egyptian leaders, including President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, have repeatedly described potential mass displacements of Palestinians towards the Sinai as a non-negotiable boundary, warning that such scenarios could jeopardise national security and even the peace treaty itself.
These concerns extend to the border area known as the Philadelphia Corridor, where Israeli forces have maintained a presence, prompting debates over whether this violates the spirit of the 1979 accords. Egypt views any unilateral moves that might facilitate refugee flows or alter the status quo as direct threats, potentially forcing a reevaluation of its commitments. The Gaza war, which by early 2025 had led to mediated cease-fires but left deep scars, has also complicated Egypt’s position as a mediator, straining its ability to balance domestic pressures with international obligations. Public sentiment in Egypt, fuelled by images of suffering in Gaza, adds another layer, pushing the government to adopt a firmer stance against perceived Israeli overreach while still engaging in behind-the-scenes coordination to contain threats like Hamas tunnels or weapon transfers.
This dynamic has ripple effects on Egypt’s relationship with the United States, a mutual ally to both Cairo and Jerusalem. Washington’s substantial military aid to Egypt—amounting to billions annually—comes with expectations of continued cooperation in regional security, including the MFO mission. However, the Biden administration’s support for Israel during the Gaza escalation has drawn criticism from Egyptian officials, who argue it overlooks the broader implications for stability in the Sinai and beyond. Despite these frictions, practical necessities prevail; Egypt and Israel persist in joint counterterrorism efforts in the peninsula, sharing intelligence and coordinating to neutralise militant groups that pose risks to both sides. This enduring, if uneasy, alliance highlights the treaty’s resilience, even as external pressures test its limits.
For the deploying Alabama soldiers, these geopolitical undercurrents provide the backdrop to their daily tasks. They will operate in an environment where peacekeeping requires not just military discipline but also an awareness of the delicate balance between enforcement and diplomacy. As they settle into their roles, the unit’s contribution will help sustain a framework that has prevented major conflicts between Egypt and Israel for over four decades, offering a reminder of how localised deployments can support wider peace efforts. Back home, families and communities in places like Foley and Enterprise will follow updates closely, hoping for a safe return after the troops complete their watch in the Sinai sands.
