Armed Forces defends its Sinai operation

Armed Forces spokesperson Ahmed Mohamed Ali showcased the results of an ongoing security operation in Sinai targeting radical and terrorist strongholds at a press conference Sunday.

Around 309 people belonging to radical takfiri groups were arrested since the launch of the security operation in July, Ali said, adding that various weapons were confiscated including RPGs, machine guns and hand grenades.

He added that 601 homes have also been destroyed in the operation, as well as 203 cars carrying weapons and seven arms stores. 

Ali said the ongoing security operation in Sinai comes after several efforts at negotiation. He explained that the aim of the operation is not only fighting terrorism but also combating illegal immigration and arms smuggling.

The spokesperson said the Armed Forces decided to expand its operations and deal with these elements with strength and resolve and to take all measures to face terrorism, in coordination with the Interior Ministry, to cleanse Sinai of all terrorist and criminal strongholds.

During the press conference, Ali played a video showing a number of those arrested and accused of terrorism, among whom were Palestinians who allegedly entered Egypt illegally.

Ali said violence had escalated in an unprecedented manner since the ouster of former President Mohamed Morsi, particularly the targeting of checkpoints and killing of soldiers.

In response to a question about the destruction of homes above tunnels, Ali said that having homes along the border is unacceptable and threatens national security. He said that residents of these homes will be compensated or relocated.

Armed Forces are working on a buffer zone securing 500 meters to 1 km along the border, Ali said.

The military spokesperson also addressed the military trial of Al-Masry Al-Youm correspondent in North Sinai governorate Ahmed Abu Deraa, saying he had falsely claimed that the Armed Forces destroyed mosques in Rafah and targeted women and children, as well as other misleading news about the military operations in Sinai.

He added that Abu Deraa is not a member of the Journalists’ Syndicate and that he was arrested in a restricted military area, defending the decision to try him in a military court.

Attacks targeting police stations, military checkpoints and other government establishments have intensified in Sinai, particularly following the ouster of Morsi on July 3.

However, many in Sinai attribute the increasing militancy in the peninsula to its economic and political marginalization, which has persisted for decades.