El Saa'qa Forces
| El Saa‘qa Forces | |
|---|---|
| Arabic: قوات الصاعقة | |
Insignia of the El Saa‘qa Forces | |
| Active | 1956–present |
| Country | Egypt |
| Branch | Egyptian Army |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | Inshas, Sharqia |
| Motto | "Sweat in training saves blood in battle" |
| Colors | Black and yellow |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Major General Emad Abdel Qadir Yamani |
El Saa‘qa Forces (Arabic: قوات الصاعقة, romanized: Quwwat El Saa‘qa, lit. 'Thunderbolt Forces', Arabic pronunciation: [qowˈwæt əsˈsˤɑːʕiqæ]) are one of two branches under the Administration of Special Units of the Egyptian Army, alongside the Paratroopers. Established in the 1950s by young officer Galal Haridy (ar:جلال_هريدي), who was later promoted to Major General, they perform specialized roles such as infiltration behind enemy lines, ambushing supply routes, assaulting command posts, and anti-armour operations.
El Saa‘qa primarily recruits through conscription, supplemented by a core of professional officers and NCOs, with recruits selected for physical fitness and suitability. Their history and prominence in Egyptian popular culture make them particularly admired among young conscripts.