Full transcript of Egypt army's statements on 'Sinai 2018' operation

CAIRO - 9 February 2018: Under the title "Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018," Egypt's Armed Forces launched a comprehensive military operation targeting the hotbeds of terrorists in northern and central Sinai Peninsula on Friday, in a bid to purge the country from terrorism.

The army released two-video statement on Friday to announce the launching of the operation.

And Egypt Today provides you with the transcript of the army's statement that was aired at 8:50 am Cairo local time:

In the name of Allah the Merciful

The great people of Egypt,

As part of the mandate given by the President, the Commander-in- chief of the armed forces to the General Command of the armed forces, and the Ministry of Interior for the comprehensive confrontation of terrorism and other criminal operations in close cooperation with all State institutions, this morning the law enforcement forces began to implement the Comprehensive confrontation plan of terrorist and criminal elements and organizations in North and Central Sinai and other areas of the Delta of Egypt and the Western Desert linebacker. This is in addition to carrying out other training and operational tasks and exercises in all strategic directions, with a view to controlling the state's external outlets Of Egypt, to ensure the realization of the planned objectives of clearing areas where there are terrorist hotbeds, and to fortify Egyptian society from the evils of terrorism and extremism in parallel with other crimes affecting security and internal stability.

The general command of the armed forces therefore calls upon the great people of Egypt throughout the Republic, to cooperate closely with the law enforcement forces to counter and root out terrorism, and to report immediately on any elements that threaten the security and stability of the country. God save Egypt and its people... and peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and Blessings.


In statement No. 2 on the comprehensive anti-terrorism operation, the spokesman of the armed forces, Chief Colonel Tamer Rifai, confirmed, “The Air Force is targeting hotbeds and dens of terrorist elements in the north and central Sinai,” aired at 11:50 am Cairo local time.

The statement read as follows:

As part of ongoing law enforcement efforts, elements of the Air Force have targeted some of the hotspots, dens, weapons and ammunition depots used by terrorist elements as a base for targeting law enforcement forces and civilian targets in Northern and Central Sinai.

Maritime personnel insurance procedures are also tightened up by elements of the naval forces, with a view to cutting off the supply lines for terrorist elements. Border Guard and civilian police forces are tightening the security procedures at the border gates, as well as tightening the security procedures for the watercourse.

Joint elements of the army and the police are intensifying the security measures for the vital goals and areas throughout the country.