In brief
In light of the recent upheaval in Syria, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and his government remain cautious, reflecting on their own historical experiences with rapid political change amidst calls for freedom across the region.
Soon after Islamist rebels successfully overthrew Syria's authoritarian regime under Bashar al-Assad, an impactful hashtag began to circulate on Egyptian social media: "It’s your turn, dictator." This phrase sent a clear, albeit alarming message to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who has been closely monitoring the developments in Damascus. Sisi's administration is acutely aware of the potential for revolutionary sentiments to spread, a phenomenon they have witnessed following the Arab Spring uprisings that began in late 2010. The Syrian uprising, which intensified over nearly a decade, culminated in Assad's recent downfall, echoing Egypt's previous revolution that ousted long-time president Hosni Mubarak. After the short-lived success of an Islamist party in Egypt, Sisi seized control through a military coup, articulating a continual fear of the empowerment of Islamist groups in the region, especially in the wake of Syria's political shift.In the wake of Assad's departure, at least 30 Syrian refugees in Cairo were reportedly arrested by Egyptian security forces as they celebrated the dictator's flight. This reaction highlights Egypt's strict approach toward any movements that may threaten its own political stability. Thus, as the geopolitical landscape shifts due to recent upheavals in neighboring Syria, Egypt remains on high alert, anxious to deter any resurgence of revolutionary fervor within its borders.
