Exclusive: Egypt transfers large air, armored forces to Saudi Arabia

DEBKAfile’s exclusive sources report the transfer of large Egyptian military forces to Saudi Arabia this week for the first major joint war exercise the two armies have ever conducted. Egypt has sent over fighter-bomber squadrons, assault helicopters, armored units and warships, some of them carrying marines. The exercise is intended to demonstrate to Iran and the Obama administration the possible consequences of a potential Revolutionary Guards attempt to strike a Saudi target. Riyadh foresees tensions with Tehran further escalating behind Iranian leaders’ apparent attempt to defuse the situation.