Arab governments are returning seriously to discussions on the creation of a joint military force, a project that had been on hold since 2015. According to reports by The National, the initiative has been reinvigorated after Israel's recent attack on Hamas officials in Doha, Qatar, an event that has revived concerns about regional security and the need for a coordinated Arab response.
The initiative was initially proposed by Egypt as a way to curb the spread of the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. However, it faced major obstacles from the start, including disagreements over command, headquarters location, and division of responsibilities. As a result, Saudi Arabia created a temporary military coalition that operated independently.
Today, Egypt is seeking to return to the center of this effort, proposing that the headquarters be located in Cairo and that the first commander of the force be from the Egyptian army — currently the largest in the Arab world. Under a proposed new plan, the military leadership of the coalition would rotate among the 22 Arab League member states, while a civilian secretary-general would oversee political leadership.
The joint military force is expected to include land, sea and air forces, as well as elite counter-terrorism units. It will engage in defensive operations and peacekeeping missions in the Arab regions, as requested by member states. The activation of the force will require the approval of the joint command and consultations with all participating countries.
Although the Arab League has had a defense treaty since 1945, it has failed to create any permanent military structure due to mutual distrust and political divergences among member states.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has already begun talks with other regional leaders to gain support for the plan. The topic is expected to be discussed extensively during the Arab-Islamic summit to be held this Sunday in Doha, where leaders will consider concrete steps to create an "Arab NATO" in response to ongoing threats to the region's security and stability.
