Allah Nawaz Khan
The Suez Canal is a sea passage in Egypt and is of particular importance in terms of location. It is an artificial waterway and has a very old history. According to tradition, it was dug during the reign of the Pharaohs (1877-1849) and was later redesigned in 1869, which further increased its importance. The Suez Canal connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean and has become an important part of world trade. Between 8% and 12% of world trade passes through the Suez Canal, and Egypt earns a considerable income from it.This canal allows ships to travel between Europe and Asia without going around Africa.Oil trade is also carried out through this canal, and about 80% of the oil going to Europe passes through it. In addition to oil, NLG and other goods are also sent through this canal. When its modern construction began in 1869, When it was properly constructed, the distance between England and India was reduced by four thousand miles. Earlier, it was occupied by Britain, America and France, but in 1956, Gamal Abdel Nasser took it under national ownership. The canal passing through Egyptian territory is the property of Egypt and whatever income is earned through this canal, the owner of this income is Egypt. When Gamal Abdel Nasser took the Suez Canal under national ownership, Israel etc. attacked Egypt. After the war stopped, Egypt gained complete control over the Suez Canal by 1973.
The Suez Canal is a golden bird that everyone wants to get. The US President also announced last month that US commercial and military ships should be allowed to pass through Panama and the Suez Canal free of charge.Donald Trump had initially expressed his intention to control only the Panama Canal, but later he also kept an eye on the Suez Canal. After hearing Trump’s announcement about the Suez Canal, there was a strong outcry among the people, including the Egyptian government. The government avoided giving a strong response to the US, which shows that Egypt is so weak compared to the US that it does not even have the strength to respond. On the other hand, the Panamanian government had also protested strongly and had also announced that it would not give the Panama Canal, but Egypt’s silence is surprising. Many types of commercial and warships continue to pass through the Suez Canal, and since their distance is short, expenses are also reduced. Ships passing through the Suez Canal generate income for Egypt. Egypt will not use the canal in any case. It will not want to give up the Suez Canal because giving up the Suez Canal means giving up a major source of wealth. It may be that Egypt will be forced to give up control of the Suez Canal. The United States or another power, like Ukraine, could force Egypt to give up control of the canal. Israel or another country could also start a war with Egypt, paving the way for the United States or a major power. Just as Ukraine was forced to make a deal, Egypt may also be willing to give up a large part of its wealth to someone else.
Egypt is earning a lot of income through the Suez Canal. According to a report, the income of the Suez Canal in 2013 was $5310 million and in 21-22, Egypt earned more than $7 billion annually. This was a record income and it is expected to earn more income in the coming period. The income of $7 billion is an extraordinary amount and giving up on it would be a big blow to Egypt. The US is first putting pressure on Egypt to allow ships to pass through freely, and later it may also want to gain complete control. If Egypt expresses its willingness to make any concessions to the US, other states may also demand the same.
Donald Trump mentioned the Suez Canal last April. There is no movement now, but that does not mean that there will be no such demand in the future. The US president will try to achieve his goal through force. It is a violation of international law to force an independent state to agree, but Egypt is well aware of its weakness. Egypt will be forced to accept unpleasant conditions. The question is, is Egypt capable of confronting any power? There has been confrontation in the past, but many changes have taken place in the present, so there is a big difference between the Egypt of the past and the present. The situation in the Middle East has deteriorated greatly and Egypt may also be targeted at some point. The international community should support Egypt so that chaos does not spread. Someone else may also come to the rescue, so it is better to unite and confront it. The disagreements found in the Muslim Ummah are constantly causing losses, so the unity of the Muslim Ummah is an important need of the hour. Be it the Suez Canal issue or any other issue, immediately The fight can be fought together. In addition to being a waterway, the Suez Canal can also become a route for warships in the future, so its importance cannot be ignored under any circumstances. Despite its distance, the waterway also has special importance. The Suez Canal belongs to Egypt and should remain under Egypt’s control.
The writer can be reached at allahnawazk012@gmail.com
