Egyptian President Sisi directs Armed Forces to eliminate presence of terrorists in Sinai

CAIRO – 8 May 2022: In the wake of the terrorist attack that targeted security forces in Sinai on Saturday, President Abdel Fattah directed the law enforcement forces to complete the mission of eliminating terrorists in some areas in North Sinai, said Presidential Spokesperson Bassam Rady in a statement on Sunday.

President Sisi’s directives were given during his meeting with the Supreme Council of the Egyptian Armed Forces (SCAF) on Sunday. The meeting tackled the repercussions of the attack that led to the death of 11 military men during their national duty, as well as the measures implemented to pursue and eliminate the fugitive terrorists.

The President gave his orders to implement all security measures that contribute to eliminating terrorism in all its forms, Rady said.

“The President praised the efforts exerted by the armed forces in drying up the sources of terrorism and uprooting it from the Sinai Peninsula, in cooperation with the honorable people,” said Rady, adding that President Sisi acclaimed the armed forces’ efforts in completing national megaprojects in cooperation with all state institutions.

President Sisi expressed the Egyptian people’s appreciation for the sacrifices made by the armed forces and the police to maintain the security of the homeland and preserve its sanctities, Rady said.

The meeting also reviewed a number of files and topics related to the activities and tasks of the armed forces and their efforts to protect Egyptian national security on all strategic borders of the state.

A military officer and 10 soldiers were killed as the Egyptian army managed to foil a terrorist attack against a water lift station east of the Suez Canal, Egyptian Military Spokesman Gharib Abdel Hafez said in a statement.

Five military personnel were also injured as the Egyptian army confronted the attack carried out by a group of takfiri elements, the spokesman said on Saturday.

The terrorist elements are being pursued and besieged in one of the isolated areas in Sinai, the spokesman added.

“The armed forces affirm their continued efforts to eradicate terrorism and uproot its roots,” the spokesman stressed.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi affirmed later on Saturday that treacherous terrorist attacks will not undermine the determination of people and the army to uproot terrorism.

“The faithful sons of the homeland continue to answer the nation's call courageously and selflessly, a unique example of self-denial and unshakable faith in the doctrine of safeguarding the nation,” said President Sisi.

“I assure you that these treacherous terrorist operations will not discourage the sons of this nation and its armed forces from uprooting terrorism.  I offer my sincere condolences to the great people of Egypt, the Armed Forces and all the families of the victims, wishing the injured a speedy recovery. I ask Allah Almighty to keep Egypt and its people safe,” President added.