Egypt inaugurated a new armed forces headquarters called "The Octagon" on Saturday, covering about 90 square kilometres (approximately 22,000 acres or 34.7 square miles). President Abdel‑Fattah el‑Sisi attended the ceremony in military uniform.

According to the South China Morning Post, the Octagon consists of eight buildings each with an eight‑sided floor plan, and observers described it as the largest military headquarters in the world. The Times of India reported that the complex combines advanced command, logistics, and emergency‑management systems powered by advanced technology.

Chinese media claim that the Octagon has replaced the Pentagon as the headquarters of the U.S. Defence, while Indian media state that the facility is expected to play a crucial role in strategic decision‑making and addressing regional security concerns, drawing parallels to the Pentagon.

The Associated Press noted that tourism is a major source of foreign currency in Egypt. The agency also published photos provided on July 4, 2026, by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities showing limestone‑built tombs and a recently discovered artifact at the Marina el‑Alamein archaeological site.