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Following the uproar over a video released by the Egyptian militant group Hasm, in which it threatened to carry out terrorist attacks in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood—designated a terrorist organization in several countries—issued a statement distancing itself from the group.

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Mahmoud Hussein, acting General Guide of the Istanbul-based faction, claimed there is no connection between the Brotherhood and Hasm, reaffirming the group’s support for strengthening state institutions, particularly the military, to face regional challenges.

The statement, also circulated internally, departed from the Brotherhood’s usual rhetoric. It featured unusual vocabulary such as “supporting the military” and “preserving state institutions,” which analysts view as a calculated attempt to show moderation and mislead Egyptian authorities into believing the group is no longer hostile.

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This distancing came in response to a call by Ayman Nour, head of the Ghad El-Thawra party and a Brotherhood ally, urging the group to denounce Hasm’s threats. However, the rival “London faction” of the Brotherhood remained silent.

Conversely, the group’s “General Bureau” faction—associated with militant offshoots—praised the Hasm video. Figures such as Yahya Moussa, convicted in Egypt for organizing armed attacks, described the video as proof that the armed struggle is not over.

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Legitimizing violence

This statement is viewed by many as a familiar Brotherhood tactic to clean up its image. Yet historical evidence shows the Brotherhood originally founded and backed militant groups like Hasm, especially after being ousted from power in 2013.

In February 2014, the Brotherhood’s General Shura Council held a secret meeting to discuss strategy against the state, which resulted in the “Exhaustion, Disruption, and Decisive Action Plan”—explicitly endorsing the use of violence to overthrow the Egyptian regime.

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The group sought religious justification through a committee led by Magdy Shalash, which published a study titled “Jurisprudence of Popular Resistance Against the Coup,” effectively sanctioning attacks on state officials, civilians, and infrastructure.

An entity called the “Bureau of Revolutionary Action” was then formed under Mohamed Kamal’s leadership, with approval from Mahmoud Ezzat. This bureau oversaw the creation of several armed factions that launched attacks on security forces, electricity grids, and government buildings.

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One major attack occurred in 2015 when they bombed power lines supplying Egypt’s Media Production City, disrupting television broadcasts.

Although the Brotherhood’s violent campaign ultimately failed—many leaders were arrested, and plots foiled—the group continued its activities. The assassination of Egypt’s Prosecutor General Hisham Barakat and the official launch of Hasm and Lewaa Al-Thawra marked a new wave of terrorism.

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Post-failure maneuvering

With Hasm reappearing in recent days, Mahmoud Hussein’s statement is seen by analysts as another Brotherhood maneuver.

Expert Ahmed Ban believes Hussein is trying to present his faction as peaceful and reformist to reestablish dialogue with the Egyptian state, positioning himself as heir to the “moderate” leadership style of Mahmoud Ezzat and distancing himself from the violent line of Mohamed Kamal.

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Sabra Al-Qasimi, a human rights lawyer and political Islam researcher, sees the statement and Hasm video as part of a broader strategy to divide roles: militant pressure from Hasm, and conciliatory rhetoric from Hussein, in an attempt to regain political space.

He stressed that the video serves as a direct threat to Egypt, signaling that armed groups are ready to resume violent activity, in a last-ditch effort to pressure the state into concessions.

Despite these efforts, the Egyptian public has widely rejected the Brotherhood, and there appears to be little chance for its return to political life anytime soon.

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