The Battle of Al-Barth: The Stand of Colonel Ahmed el-Mansi and the 103rd Thunderbolt Battalion
On July 7, 2017, under the dark pre-dawn sky in North Sinai’s Al-Barth, Colonel Ahmed el-Mansi and his 103rd Thunderbolt Battalion prepared for another day in one of Egypt’s most dangerous posts. The region around Al-Barth, near Rafah, was heavily contested, a place where ISIS-affiliated militants frequently attempted to push back Egyptian forces to establish a foothold.
The militants had carefully chosen that morning for their attack, moving silently under the cover of night, determined to catch the Egyptian soldiers off guard. Their plan was meticulously coordinated: surround the camp, attack with overwhelming force, kill most of the soldiers, capture a few as prisoners, raise their flag, and vanish before Egyptian reinforcements could respond. Yet, as they crept closer, the soldiers of the 103rd Battalion were alert.
The First Shots Fired
Stationed around the camp, soldiers on guard duty spotted unusual movement in the distance. Their keen eyes detected figures moving against the night horizon, and without hesitation, they raised the alarm, firing the first shots. The opening gunfire lit up the darkness, scattering the militants’ plans of a sudden, silent ambush. Quickly, Colonel Mansi took charge, his orders swift and calm, directing his men to defensive positions to repel the attack.
ISIS’s Assault and the Explosive Truck
Realizing that surprise was no longer on their side, the militants responded with intense fire, launching mortars and RPGs toward the camp. The attackers pushed forward with relentless aggression, determined to force their way inside. As the Egyptian soldiers held their ground, each man fully aware of the stakes, the militants deployed their deadliest weapon: a suicide truck loaded with explosives. The truck barreled toward the camp’s defenses, a massive, lethal machine aiming to breach the battalion’s line with one devastating blast.
The truck detonated in a fiery explosion, tearing through the perimeter defenses and killing several soldiers in its wake. This single blast caused massive destruction and left large sections of the camp vulnerable. Yet, even as the battalion took heavy casualties, the surviving soldiers regrouped, rallying around Mansi, who moved among them, providing steady leadership amid the chaos.
Reinforcements Delayed
Meanwhile, reinforcements scrambled to reach Al-Barth, but the militants had prepared obstacles to slow their approach. IEDs and roadblocks had been placed strategically along the routes leading to the camp, halting ground reinforcements. The Egyptian forces on their way faced delays as they worked to clear these explosive traps. The 103rd Battalion was effectively on its own, cut off from help as they defended against waves of insurgents.
Four Hours of Relentless Battle
For four intense hours, Colonel Mansi and his battalion held their ground. The ISIS fighters pressed in from all directions, exploiting the damage caused by the explosion to close in on the Egyptian positions. Yet, despite their dwindling numbers, the battalion continued to fight. Mansi’s calm, unwavering voice on the radio kept the soldiers focused, even as losses mounted.
One by one, soldiers fell in the line of duty. Mansi and his men were outnumbered and isolated, but they knew that yielding was not an option. They held the line, preventing the militants from reaching their goal of capturing prisoners and raising their flag over Egyptian soil.
Colonel Ahmed el-Mansi’s Final Words
As the battle wore on, Mansi was struck in the line of fire. With what would be his final breaths, he is reported to have said to those around him: “A martyr does not get washed or shrouded; bury me as I am in my uniform.” His words became an enduring symbol of his dedication to Egypt and his battalion, embodying the unbreakable spirit of those who stood with him that day.
The Arrival of Reinforcements and the Aftermath
By the time air support finally reached Al-Barth, the battle had ended. The surviving militants, realizing their objectives were thwarted, retreated. The 103rd Battalion had paid a heavy price, with twenty soldiers, including Colonel Mansi, lost in the line of duty. However, the militants had failed to raise their flag or take prisoners. The stand of Mansi and his battalion denied them the symbolic victory they sought, preserving Egypt’s honor and sovereignty.
The Fallen Heroes of Al-Barth
The sacrifices of Mansi and his men ensured that their names would be etched forever in Egypt’s history. Among those lost were:
- Colonel Ahmed el-Mansi
- Captain Ahmed Omar El-Shabrawy
- Captain Mohamed Salah Mohamed
- First Lieutenant Khaled Mohamed Kamal Al-Maghrabi
- First Lieutenant Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud
- Corporal Mohamed El-Sayed Ismail Ramadan
- Private Farag Mohamed Mahmoud Ahmed
- Private Mohamed Mahmoud Mohsen
- Private Moamen Abo AL-Yazeid
- Private Emad Amir Rushdy Yaqoub
- Private Mohamed Salah El-Deen Gad
- Private Mahmoud Ragab El-Sayed
- Private Mohamed Ezat Ibrahim
- Private Ali Ali Ali Al-Sayed
- Private Ahmed Mohamed Ali Nijm
- Private Ali Mohsen Mohamed El-Tokhey
- Private Mahmoud Sabry Mohamed
- Private Mohamed Mahmoud Farag
- Private Ahmed Al-Arabi Mostafa
- Civilian Sabry
Legacy of the Battle
The Battle of Al-Barth and Colonel Mansi’s last stand resonate deeply as symbols of courage and resilience. Mansi’s final words, the first shots fired by his alert soldiers, and the steadfast defense of the 103rd Battalion serve as lasting testaments to their bravery. Egypt honors their memory as protectors of Sinai, guardians of its sovereignty, and heroes who gave everything to ensure the safety of their land.