Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Saturday, 13 Saratan (July 4), inaugurated the country’s new Armed Forces General Command headquarters, known as the “Octagon.” The massive military complex, located east of Cairo in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, is widely described as the world’s largest military headquarters.
The Octagon has been built on a 4.6 million-square-meter site, covering approximately 2,200 hectares. According to information released by the Egyptian government, the complex comprises 13 strategic zones and includes eight octagonal buildings housing two central command facilities, all interconnected through an integrated network.
Egyptian officials say the headquarters was designed to consolidate military command centers that had been dispersed across Cairo for decades, improving coordination among the armed forces. The Octagon is also presented as a fortified military city and a symbol of the unity and centralization of Egypt’s military command structure.
The Egyptian government has not disclosed the exact cost of the project. However, reports indicate that funding was drawn from the $48 billion New Administrative Capital project, foreign investment, financial support from several Gulf Arab states, Chinese investment, and land sales.
The inauguration also attracted widespread attention inside and outside Egypt, as President el-Sisi appeared in military uniform for the sixth time since taking office in 2014. His appearance has reignited debate over the military’s role in Egypt’s political system.
Within Egypt, some critics have questioned the necessity of such an expensive project, citing the country’s economic challenges and the large proportion of the population living below the poverty line. The government, however, maintains that the headquarters is part of a broader effort to modernize Egypt’s military and administrative infrastructure.
Some analysts have also linked the inauguration of the Octagon to Egypt’s expanding military capabilities and evolving regional security dynamics. Egyptian officials, however, continue to reaffirm the country’s commitment to the 1979 peace treaty with Israel, stating that Egypt has no plans to undertake military action or escalate regional tensions.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
