Armed Forces release anti-terror update, marking Sinai Liberation Day

CAIRO - 25 April 2018: Coinciding with the 36th anniversary of Sinai Liberation Day, the Armed Forces issued a statement Wednesday that provides new updates of the Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018. The operation aims to eradicate terrorism in North and Central Sinai, in addition to other areas in the Nile Delta and Western Desert.

Around 17 dangerous terrorists were killed in North and Central Sinai, while 173 others were arrested.

As part of the "Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018", carried out by elements of the Armed Forces in cooperation with the combat units of the Interior Ministry, anti-terror units continue to launch raids targeting terrorist hideouts, in addition to arms and ammunition warehouses, in Northern and central Sinai, the statement said.

- Egyptian Air Force destroyed three terrorist hotbeds, killing a number of takfiris.

- 10 vehicles loaded with weapons and ammunition were destroyed.

- 17 takfiris were killed by security forces in residential areas in El Arish.

- Eight machine guns and three explosive devices were seized.

- A training area for takfiris was discovered.

- Military engineers discovered and destroyed 74 explosive devices that were planted to target forces.

- 26 different vehicles were destroyed and seized.

- 25 motorbikes without number plates were seized and destroyed.

- As many as 437 hideouts and warehouses containing food supplies, military uniforms and quantities of ammunition were destroyed.

- Some 38 bango and opium farms were discovered and destroyed, and large quantities of narcotics were seized in North and Central Sinai.

- The Egyptian Navy continues to tighten its grip along the coastal area, the statement added.

- Combat groups of the Armed Forces and Interior Ministry continue operating 586 security patrols and setting up checkpoints across the nation.

- Within the framework of the efforts of the coast guards and engineering elements, a number of tunnels were destroyed in Rafah in addition to five farms of opium poppy.

- In the western military zone, a vehicle was seized carrying 675 pistols, 6000 rounds, and large quantities of medical supplies.

- More than 200 infiltrators from different nationalities were arrested, in addition to 250kg of hashish and a large number of tramadol pills were seized.

- In the southern military zone, seven vehicles were seized inside a warehouse in Shalatin.

- Three officers were killed, another officer injured in addition to a soldier in the operation.

The statement reiterated the Armed Forces and police's persistence to eradicate the roots of terrorism and achieve security and stability for the great Egyptian people.

Parts of the reporting were taken from MENA