THE MOSLEM BROTHERHOOD THREAT IN EGYPT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79R00890A000200030012-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 11, 2002
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: January 12, 1954
• Content Type: BRIEF

DRAFT SS
Approved For Release 2002/08M2;: CIA-RDP79R00890A00020002002-9
NSC BRIEFING January 1954
MOSLEM BROTHERHOOD THREAT IN EGYPT
Egyptian government's dissolution on 13 January of ti`e Moslem
Brotherhood, a fanatical religio-nationalist organization) is
military regime's boldest move thus far to eliminate opposition.,
1necessary)`if regime is to achieve a settlement of Suez
dispute.
In outlawing Brotherhood, however, Nagib government forces
underground its only remaining opponent and takes on tg'e burden of
DOC UMEN : NO. -
its surveillance.
25X1
CA AS ~0
1. Background of Moslem Brotherhood in EgyptPuTri?'Q2
A. When outlawed, Moslem Brotherhood had extensive organization
throughout A&e country with some 2,000 branc
.members. Affiliates in 40e other Arab states tot
uch less strength. Only t banned nationalist Wafd
Party claimed a larger following in Egypt.
1. Moslem Brotherhood, a religious society founded in
1929, sought to solve Egypt's social and political
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Members have always
been fanatics and extreme nationalists with anti-
Western bent.
2. By 1948, when outlawed for terrorist activities and
political murders, Brotherhood had become powerful
political force and claimed membership as high as
2,000,000 -- #onservative estimates put it at 500,000.
Opportunistic contacts with Communists reported
3. Despite band continued activities clandestinely until
1951 when officially reinstated as "cultural societ
ti.
4. Growing
increased ranks of
Brotherhood in year immediately preceding army coup of
July' 1952, which demanded)pma@a at
In
oral revival.
TI. Past Relations with the Military Regime in Egypt:
-- - ---- r~vvw vMiaaV V V
fore in Egyptian politics
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ion
-CIONOtIt"O
13 ic.,
only political group in Egypt
which publicly supported military regime from start, and
in turn regime put into
practice or endorsed much of ids
B. When Egyptian government banned all political partiesa444...
January 1953, Moslem Brotherhood remained as only quasi-
political organization legally in existence in Egypt?
egime ruled it a religious society and
not subject
to ban.
'1'IREPARE-D /
1. Military regime apparently not openly to challenge
strength of Brotherhood.
a. In past year reportAncreasing friction between
regime and Brotherhood
overnmenti -,pfforts to
establish control over all potential terroristic,
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paramilitary and "Commando" type activities.
b. Brotherhood also suffered internal dissensions
:...fret #~! i .
November 1953. Regime suspected of covertly
supporting 2 in effort to weaken organization.
Open conflict between factions developed in
2. eports from Cairo indicated re~
gime eeking opportunity
to crack down on Brotherhood. Antigovernment demonstra-
tion by Brotherhood students on 12 January inmetlI? e
ere for outlawing organization. Announcement in
Egypt withheld until some 400 leaders rounded up. No
immediate repercussions*In Egypt,(to outlawing (where
emergency security measures in force. Government) which
has situation in hand 3continue; report discoveries of
numerous caches of arms and explosives to keep before
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public inherent danger of 1 Brotherhood
ergtion.
III. Repercussion in Neighboring States:
A. Announcement of dissolution of Brotherhood in
Egypt caused epercussion in other Moslem countries.
1. Police called out in Khartoum to break up Sudanese
student protest