The Islamic State has conducted one of its most gruesome executions yet. In a video released on February 15, Islamic State militias walk 21 prisoners down to a beach, and after a brief statement by one of the masked captors, the prisoners are beheaded. What makes this even more startling is the fact that it happened in Africa, not the Middle East. It took place in Libya, and the prisoners were Egyptian Coptic Christians.

The despicable act drew immediate condemnation from Egypt. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said that Egypt had every right to respond to the attack. And respond it did.

Egypt conducted airstrikes on terrorist targets within Libya, reportedly killing 64 Islamic State members. It was Egypt’s first foreign strike in 24 years—the last being in the Gulf War of 1991.

This marks an enormous turning point in regional geopolitics—more so even than the arrival of the Islamic State in North Africa. The Egyptian military is involving itself directly in the affairs of a foreign nation for the first time in over two decades.

For those watching events unfold in Iraq, Egypt’s airstrikes should look markedly similar to the tactics of another nation currently battling the Islamic State: Iran.

Today the Iranians have troops on the ground in Iraq, as well as plans to train and lead Iraqi officers into battle. Yet Iran’s intensifying involvement was preceded by its use of airstrikes.

The same scenario is unfolding in Libya.

Consider the following scenario: A nation is left fractured by the United States’s disastrous foreign-policy decisions. The subsequent unrest fosters the rise of radical terrorist groups. The Islamic State begins to take hold, threatening the neighboring nations. One of these neighbors has a large and experienced military. This nation takes action, directing airstrikes at the Islamic State targets.

This narrative is completely interchangeable with what is happening in the Middle East and what is happening in North Africa. The difference is that Iran has been at it for months, while Egypt has only just begun getting involved.

So far, Egypt has received no condemnation from the international community for its airstrikes. With the West so hesitant to reengage, Egypt’s involvement will likely get a free pass. After all, the new government in Egypt is viewed as far more moderate than the previous one led by radical Muslim Brotherhood (MB). It has already proved itself effective at rooting out the MB within the nation. Egypt boasts a large and experienced military. To most people, Egypt could appear to be the perfect power to tackle the Islamic State’s rise in Libya and bring peace to a destabilized nation.

However, as those who are aware of Egypt’s role in Bible prophecy know, that is not the case. In his booklet The King of the South, Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry explains Egypt’s soon-coming role in the Middle East.

Daniel 11:42 implies that Egypt will be allied with the king of the south, or Iran. [See our article titled “Three Reasons Why Iran Is the ‘King of the South’ of Bible Prophecy.”] This prophecy indicated there would be a far-reaching change in Egyptian politics! We had been saying since 1994 this would occur, and look at Egypt today.

This statement was made in the context of the Muslim Brotherhood gaining control of Egypt. Today the Egyptian government is very critical of Iran, but political change can happen very quickly in this volatile region. Just as with Iran, a year ago no one would have dreamed that Egypt would be conducting airstrikes in neighboring nations.

The Trumpet has long warned of the role Egypt is destined to play in the Middle East. Mr. Flurry continues:

The two nations of Libya and Ethiopia are mentioned in Daniel 11:43, along with Egypt. …”But he [the king of the north] shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps” (Daniel 11:43). Why did God inspire the mentioning of Libya and Ethiopia? Every word in God’s inspired Bible has significance. God placed two nations in the same verse as Egypt for a definite reason. This verse states that Libya and Ethiopia are also going to be closely allied with Iran!Here is how the Soncino Commentary defines at his steps: “Either joining his army, or placing themselves at his beck and call.” …So you need to watch Libya and Ethiopia. They are about to fall under the heavy influence or control of Iran, the king of the south.

With both Egypt and Libya prophesied to come under Iranian control, we ought to pay close attention when Egypt starts getting involved in Libya. Even if Egypt goes no further than the airstrikes, it has shown that it is willing to conduct military activity outside its borders where necessary.

The Islamic State has given Iran the opportunity to involve itself in Iraq. Watch now as the terrorists present Egypt with the same opportunity in Libya.