MOSLEM BROTHERHOOD THREAT IN EGYPT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000200120007-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 6, 1998
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: January 21, 1954
• Content Type: BRIEF

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NSC BRIEFING 21 January 1954
Egyptian government's dissolution on
13 January of Moslem Brotherhood, a fanatical
religio-nationalist organization, is mili-
tary regime's boldest move thus far to
eliminate opposition. It is necessary move
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 burden
of its surveillance.
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I. Background of Moslem Brotherhood
in Egypt
A. When outlawed, Moslem Brotherhood
had extensive organization through-
out country with some:2,000 branches
containing several hundred thousand
members. Affiliates in other Arab
states have much less strength.
I
Only 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 problems by strict
observance of tenets of Islam.
Members have always been
fanatics and extreme national-
ists with anti-Western bent.
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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 - conserva-
tive estimates put it at 500,000.
Opportunistic contacts with Com-
munists reported at various times.
3. Despite ban, continued activities
clandestinely until 1951 when
officially reinstated as "cul-
tural society."
4. Growing public reaction to
excesses of Farouk regime increased
ranks of Brotherhood in year
immediately preceding army coup
of July 1952, which demanded
moral revival.
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II. Past Relations with the Military Regime
in Egypt:
A. Following coup in July 1952, Moslem
Brotherhood came to fore in Egyptian
politics as only political group in
Egypt which publicly supported mili-
tary regime from start, and in turn
regime put into practice or endorsed
B. When Egyptian government banned all
political parties in January 1953,
Moslem Brotherhood remained as only
quasi-political organization legally
in existence in Egypt. Regime ruled
it a religious society and not sub-
ject to ban.
1. Military regime apparently not
prepared openly to challenge
strength of Brotherhood.
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a. In past year reports of
increasing friction between
regime and Brotherhood as
result of government efforts
to establish control over all
potential terroristic, para-
military and "commando"-type
activities.
b. Brotherhood also suffered
internal dissensions during
this period. Open conflict
between factions developed
in November 1953. Regime
suspected of covertly sup-
porting dissidence in effort
to weaken organization.
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2. Late reports from Cairo
indicate regime had been seeking
opportunity to crack down on
Brotherhood. Antigovernment
demonstration by Brotherhood
students on 12 January occasion
for outlawing organization.
Announcement in Egypt withheld
until some 400 leaders rounded
up. No immediate repercussions
to outlawing in Egypt, where
emergency security measures in
force. Government, which has
situation in hand, continues to
report discoveries of numerous
caches of arms and explosives to
keep before public inherent
danger of Brotherhood.
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III. Repercussion in Neighboring States:
A. Announcement of dissolution of
Brotherhood in Egypt caused public
repercussion in other Moslem coun-
tries.
1. Police called out in Khartoum
to break up Sudanese student
protest. Demonstration wit-
nessed by Major Salam, Egyptian
minister for Sudanese affairs
and General Amir, commander in
chief of Egyptian armed forces
now visiting the Sudan.
2. In Syria, head of local branch
and followers protested banning
to Eguptian ambassador in
Damascus.
3. Moslem Brotherhood officials in
Jordan issued bitter statement
accusing Egyptian government of
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4. Leader of Pakistan Moslem
extremist group reportedly
protested banning Brotherhood.
5. Navab Safavi, notorious Iran
terrorist leader who helped rouse
Cairo student's to riot, has been
politely but firmly detained and
expelled from Egypt.
6. No serious repercussions in Arab
states expected. Brotherhood
groups not strong enough to
challenge local authorities.
IV. Implications for the Future:
A. Egyptian government crackdown on
Moslem Brotherhood will give regime
for the present greater freedom of
action in its relations with West
and dealing with Britain on Suez
base.
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1. Regime has capabilities of
enforcing overt dissolution
order.
2. Regime will probably restrict
repression of Brotherhood to
action against its leaders and
attempt avoid antagonizing rank
and file by reviving "religious
and cultural" aspects of
organization under direct
control.
B. Drive against Brotherhood poses
serious longer-range risk for
Egyptian regime.
1. Its two strongest opponents,
nationalist Wafd Party and
Brotherhood, now both underground.
Both have extensive organizations
which may be expected to be used
against regime.
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2. Brotherhood has considerable
experience in terrorism and
assassination.
3. Failure of regime to achieve a
settlement with Britain palatable
to Egyptian people or to promote
impressive economic reforms will
invite its opponents to act with
widespread popular support.
4. In such a situation, regime has
choice of getting out or
attempting to hold by sheer
military force.
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