In Pics: Egyptian army arrests 2,770 illegal immigrants in 2019

CAIRO – 17 February 2019: Egyptian army's border guards managed to arrest 2,770 people while attempting to illegally cross the western and southern borders of the country during the period from January 16, until February 12, according to official statements.

The forces could also seize 1,800 kilograms of prohibited hemp, 800 kilograms of cannabis essence, 1 million drug tablets, and 103,000 smuggled cigarette cartons.

During the same period, the border guards seized two automatic rifles, 29 shotguns, 5,000 bullets, and 24 explosive devices, according to the statement. It also seized 29 metal detectors, 2,200 kilograms of a rock from which gold ore is extracted and 73 vehicles used for smuggling.

The army could detect and destroy four tunnel openings on the border strip in North Sinai, the statement read.

A number of seven terrorists and 14 others were injured in North Sinai in fire exchange, after they attacked a force concentration on Saturday, said Tamer al-Refai, Armed Forces spokesman said.

The Armed Forces launched an anti-terror campaign in February 2018 to eradicate terrorism in North Sinai after a mosque was targeted resulting in the death of more than 300 civilians.

“The Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018” has reportedly succeeded to eliminate hundreds of terrorists confiscating the firearms and explosive devices they possessed and destroying the vehicles they used.

Police forces taking part in the Sinai operation also killed seven terrorists in Arish earlier this month. Five others were killed in a raid that took place a month earlier in the same city.

In January 2019, the Egyptian Air Forces eliminated a number of terrorist elements, including two prominent leaders in North Sinai. Also, military and police forces eliminated a number of 59 "takfiri" elements, including 15 "highly dangerous" terrorists.