An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Mattis to Make Stops in Middle East, Africa

You have accessed part of a historical collection on defense.gov. Some of the information contained within may be outdated and links may not function. Please contact the DOD Webmaster with any questions.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will embark April 17 on his fourth trip since becoming secretary. He will reaffirm key U.S. military alliances, engage with strategic partners in the Middle East and Africa, and discuss cooperative efforts to counter destabilizing activities and defeat extremist terror organizations, according to a Defense Department news release.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis leaves Andrews Air Force Base, Md., for a four-day trip to the Asia-Pacific, Feb. 1, 2017. Mattis will meet with his counterparts in South Korea and Japan during his first overseas trip as defense secretary. DoD photo by Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis leaves Andrews Air Force Base, Md., for a trip to the Asia-Pacific -- his first official travel since becoming defense secretary -- Feb. 1, 2017. Mattis will begin his fourth trip April 18 with stops in the Middle East and Africa. DoD photo by Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis leaves Andrews Air Force Base, Md., for a four-day trip to the Asia-Pacific, Feb. 1, 2017. Mattis will meet with his counterparts in South Korea and Japan during his first overseas trip as defense secretary. DoD photo by Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith
Mattis Departure
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis leaves Andrews Air Force Base, Md., for a trip to the Asia-Pacific -- his first official travel since becoming defense secretary -- Feb. 1, 2017. Mattis will begin his fourth trip April 18 with stops in the Middle East and Africa. DoD photo by Army Sgt. Amber I. Smith
Photo By: Amber I. Smith
VIRIN: 170201-D-SV709-0032

Saudi Arabia, Egypt

Mattis will begin his trip April 18 with a stop in Saudi Arabia, where he will have a series of meetings with key international counterparts to strengthen commitments to the U.S.-Saudi security partnership.

On April 20, the secretary travels to Egypt to discuss regional security issues and participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Unknown Soldier Memorial in honor of fallen Egyptian soldiers.

Israel, Qatar, Djibouti

On April 21, Mattis arrives in Israel to meet with President Reuben Rivlin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman. Additionally, the secretary will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the World Holocaust Remembrance Center.

On April 22, the secretary arrives in Qatar to meet with key international leadership and continue efforts to strengthen regional security architectures.

On April 23, Mattis will travel to Djibouti to meet with President Ismail Omar Guelleh to further the U.S-Djibouti commitment to promoting regional stability.

Related Stories