The announcement made by attorney at law Azeb Makhlouf before the public prosecutor, warning about the recruitment of young men affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood into the Egyptian army, aroused major controversy in juridical, political and military circles. This announcement came following the al-Farafra slaying incident in which one of its victims from the armed forces was said to be a supporter of the Brotherhood, and suspected of having helped facilitate the attack. As a result, Makhlouf’s announcement stirred debate concerning the Brotherhood’s involvement in the armed forces.
The former director of the anti-terrorism unit in the military intelligence services, Maj. Salameh al-Jawhari, told Al-Monitor, “The military service is every Egyptian’s duty. No one should be denied service in the military, even if they are members or supporters of the Brotherhood.”
