Egyptian Navy - Historical Naval Operations and Engagements

Historical Naval Operations and Engagements

The Egyptian navy was only peripherally involved in the series of conflicts with Israel. During the 1956 War, Egyptian destroyers and torpedo boats engaged larger British vessels in a move aimed at undermining the amphibious operations of the British and French. However, the Ibrahim el Awal sent to shell Haifa was captured by the Israeli Navy with the assistance from Israeli Air Force. The Egyptian blockade of ships in the Strait of Tiran that were headed toward Israel helped precipitate the June 1967 War. The navy's most significant action occurred in October 1967, a few months after the cease-fire, when an Egyptian missile boat sank one of Israel's two destroyers off Port Said.

On 15–16 November 1969, the Egyptian Navy frogmen attacked the port of Eilat and caused severe damages to the transport armed ship "Bat Yam".

On 5–6 February 1970, the Frogmen attacked the Israeli landing ships at the same port and same piers causing severe damages to the landing ships "Bait Shivaa" and transport armed ships "Hydroma".

On 8 March 1970 the Frogmen attacked the Israeli oil drill "Keting" at the port of Abidjan in Ivory Coast providing that. Israel had bought this oil drill from Holland for the purposes of oil exploration in the Suez Gulf.

In the October 1973 War, Egypt blocked commercial traffic to Elat in the Gulf of Aqaba by laying mines; it also attempted to blockade Israeli ports on the Mediterranean. Using the coastal artillery to the east of Port Fouad to support the Land Forces in order to prepare for the assault of the Suez Canal. * Launching missile attacks against coastal targets. Carrying out tactical ambushes through the use of navy commandos behind the enemy defensive lines to the east of Port Said and along the Gulf of Suez.