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.”

Legal expert Mohammed Kbeish told Al-Monitor, “Blocking a group from mandatory military service is not right according to the Egyptian Constitution of 2014. It stipulates that all citizens are equal in right, duty and freedom.”

“According to the constitution, no group in society shall be considered a terrorist group. No person shall be denied service in the military, unless convicted of a crime. Certain individuals can be denied military service only if a resolution is issued by the armed forces and is not in virtue of a court ruling, to preserve the national security,” Kbeish said.