12 terrorists killed in Northern Sinai

CAIRO – 12 August 2018: Egyptian television announced on Sunday that twelve terrorists were killed during the raids carried out by the Armed Forces in Arish, Northern Sinai.

Egypt’s national security sector was informed that a group of terrorists used a fenced land, located at Malalha district of the Third Police Station, Al-Arish, as their hideouts.
They were killed during an exchange of fire with the Security Forces, which found with them four automatic rifles, a cartridge, ammunitions, and two explosive devices.

In its recent statement number26, issued on Aug. 5, the Armed Forces declared that the Egyptian army and security forces eliminated 52 high-risk terrorists in various districts in North and Central Sinai, as part of the “Comprehensive Operation - Sinai 2018”. The terrorists possessed five automatic gun machines, an explosive bomb and ammunition.
The National Security Apparatus carried out a special operation in Arish City, the largest city in North Sinai, which resulted in the elimination of 13 high-risk Takfiris and the seizure of three gun machines and two explosive devices. The Egyptian army eliminated 39 high-risk terrorists in various districts in North and Central Sinai.

The Egyptian Air Forces destroyed 15 trucks loaded with ammunitions and arms while trying to penetrate Egypt’s western borders, and destroyed 17 other vehicles in the military’s southern region.

The Armed Forces and the police arrested together 49 Takfiri elements in North and Central Sinai. Twelve vehicles without metal plates loaded with ammunition and seven motorcycles used in criminal acts were also seized.

Moreover, 26 hotbeds, one hideout and one stock house were discovered in Central and North Sinai. The security forces found military suits used by the Takfiri elements and a dozenbooks and audio tapes that promote Takfiri ideology.

The military engineers detected and detonated 64 explosive devices which were planted to target our forces in operation areas.

Four tunnels were detected and destroyed as they were supplied with a motor, electricity cables, internet wires and a computer device along the border of Rafah city, Northern Sinai Peninsula.

As part of the intensive efforts of the Border Guards to coverall strategic directions, they managed to seize four shotguns, three sniper rifles, two automatic rifles, 200 different rounds of shots, seven pistol cartilages, 1,490 kilograms of cannabis, two million anesthetic tablets, and 11 4WD vehicles used for smuggling.

On the southern side, Border Guard forces, in cooperation with the police, managed to seize 34 transport vehicles and a fishing boat. The guards also succeeded to foil theattempt of 18 individuals to illegally infiltrate across international borders.

On the northern side, the guards succeeded to foil the illegal infiltration of 15 individuals and seized two vehicles and two boats used in smuggling.

Egypt has been struggling for years to contain terrorist activities in Sinai. Many military operations have been carried out by the army and police forces, killing hundreds of militants and building a buffer zone along the border with Gaza, so that Egyptian authorities can curb the flow of militants and weapons infiltrating through underground tunnels.

Egypt’s President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi authorized the army chief of staff to use “brute force” against terrorism. In February, the Egyptian Armed Forces launched a full-scale military operation titled "Sinai 2018" to confront terrorist elements in Sinai and other areas across the country. Military spokesman Tamer el-Rafae announced a major military operation to purge the country from terrorism.

Additional report by Nawal Sayed