Editing Suez Crisis (section)

=== After World War II ===
In the [[Aftermath of World War II|aftermath of the Second World War]], Britain's military strength was spread throughout the region, including the vast military complex at Suez with a garrison of 80,000, making it one of the largest military installations in the world. The Suez base was an important part of Britain's strategic position in the Middle East; however, it became a source of growing tension in [[Egypt–United Kingdom relations|Anglo-Egyptian relations]].<ref name="Darwin 207"/>

Egypt's domestic politics were experiencing a radical change, prompted by economic instability, inflation, and unemployment. Unrest began to manifest in the growth of radical political groups, such as the [[Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt]], and an increasingly hostile attitude towards Britain and its presence. Added to this anti-British fervour was the role Britain had played in the [[Mandatory Palestine|creation of Israel]].<ref name="Darwin 207">{{Harvnb|Darwin|1988|loc=p. 207 "Nothing could have been better calculated to lash popular Muslim feeling to new fury ... and to redouble Egyptian hostility to Britain on whose 'betrayal' of the Palestine Arabs the catastrophe could easily be blamed."}}</ref>

In October 1951, the Egyptian government unilaterally abrogated the [[Anglo-Egyptian Treaty of 1936]], the terms of which granted Britain a lease on the Suez base for 20 more years.<ref>{{Harvnb|Butler|2002|p=111}}</ref> Britain refused to withdraw from Suez, relying upon its treaty rights, as well as the presence of the Suez garrison. The price of such action was an escalation in violent hostility towards Britain and its troops in Egypt, which the Egyptian authorities did little to curb.{{Cn|date=October 2022}}

In January 1952, British forces attempted to disarm a troublesome auxiliary police force barracks in [[Ismailia]], resulting in the deaths of 41 Egyptians.<ref name="Darwin 208">{{Harvnb|Darwin|1988|p=208}}</ref> This led to [[Cairo fire|anti-Western riots]] in [[Cairo]] resulting in damage to property and the deaths of foreigners, including 11 British citizens.<ref name="Darwin 208"/> This proved to be a catalyst for the removal of the [[Kingdom of Egypt|Egyptian monarchy]]. On 23 July 1952 a [[Egyptian Revolution of 1952|military coup]] by the Egyptian nationalist '[[Free Officers Movement (Egypt)|Free Officers Movement]]'—led by [[Muhammad Neguib]] and future Egyptian President [[Gamal Abdul Nasser]]—overthrew King [[Farouk of Egypt|Farouk]] and established an Egyptian republic.{{Cn|date=October 2022}}