Egypt Continuing to Build Up Military on Canal’s Two Banks

Egypt is continuing to build up its military option on both banks of the Suez Canal while Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger presses his efforts for a second-stage political agreement between Israel and Egypt in Sinai. Israeli defense forces are maintaining a close watch on the growing Egyptian military deployment.

While there are no indications of an immediate intention by Cairo to launch new hostilities. It is evident that Egyptian forces are being put in a high state of preparedness should Kissinger’s negotiating efforts collapse, Israeli sources said. They added that Israeli defense forces are taking appropriate precautionary measures.

The Egyptians are presently building large-scale fortifications in their zone on the eastern bank of the canal. They are digging fire control sites for anti-aircraft missile batteries, preparing artillery sites in which more guns than prescribed by the disengagement agreement have been introduced and have built two more infantry bridges across the Suez Canal.

NAVAL BUILD-UP IN SUEZ GULF

The Egyptians are also beefing up their naval strength in the Gulf of Suez. Israel has already protested to the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) against Friday’s passage of a Soviet-built Egyptian destroyer of the “Skoury” class through the Suez Canal from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. The protest is based on the fact that the destroyer carries 130 mm. guns while the disengagement accord bars guns larger than 122 mm, from the canal zone.

The Egyptians have concentrated large numbers of armored troop carriers equipped with antiaircraft and anti-tank (Sager) missiles in the limited forces zone east of the canal. Technically, this is not a violation of the disengagement agreement since the latter limits the number of tanks allowed in the zone but not armored troop carriers.