Terror group Hamas denied it has any ties to the Muslim Brotherhood anywhere in the Middle East, including Egypt. In an interview with Al-Arabiya, a Saudi television network, Hamas spokesman, Sami Abu Zuhri said,
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“Hamas’ decisions are made by the political bureau of the organization from the Palestinian perspective, without any link to another country or organization.”
He went on to note that despite having similarities with the Muslim Brotherhood, it operates strictly on behalf of Palestinians only.
Recently, Hamas security teams have been arresting several dozen Salafi Muslim fundamentalists who were once aligned with Hamas; these arrests began after meetings that were held between a Hamas delegation and Egyptian intelligence officials. Another Hamas official stated that their main concern is with Israel, which Hamas has its weapons directed at and not at any other Arab country in an attempt to quell any concerns the Egyptians may have about Hamas’ ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Regardless of what Hamas is telling Egyptian officials about its ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, they cannot deny they’ve had meetings with the ISIS branch, Wilayat Sina, located in the Sinai. This group claimed responsibility for the downing of a Russian passenger plane over the Sinai, which prompted Egyptian President el-Sisi to state it was an act of terrorism. Hamas may try to give the appearance they’re no longer doing business with the Muslim Brotherhood, but in reality, that’s just a facade they want Egypt to see.
Do you think Hamas denying ties to the Muslim Brotherhood will convince Egyptian officials or will this be called for what it is, lip service? Sound off in the comments below!
