Egypt asserts right to self-defense if Nile water flow is interrupted

During a TV interview, Abdelatty clarified that Egypt has no issues with the Ethiopian people, whom he referred to as "brothers and sisters." He noted that negotiations regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam GERD have been ongoing for 13 years without agreement, ultimately reaching a deadlock. When questioned about a military solution, he emphasized that the Egyptian military's role is to defend the country, its borders, and its interests, adding that Egypt will not permit any unilateral actions.

This statement follows renewed plans by Addis Ababa to develop three additional hydropower projects on the Blue Nile: Karadobi, Mandaya, and Beko Abo, with a combined generating capacity of approximately 5,700 megawatts. These plans emerge less than a year after Ethiopia inaugurated the GERD in September 2025, a project that has caused significant tension between Ethiopia and downstream countries Egypt and Sudan. Ethiopia has proceeded with the dam's construction and operation despite concerns from downstream nations, particularly regarding its operation during drought periods, and has rejected calls for a legally binding agreement.

Egypt, which relies on the Nile for nearly all its water resources and faces severe water scarcity, has consistently stated it does