Egypt: limited protests took place amid the celebration of Sinai Liberation Day

Protests against the Red Sea Islands deal with Saudi Arabia
held in Cairo on Monday
(Image: Ahram Online)

Limited protests against the recent government's agreement with Saudi Arabia over the Red Sea Tiran and Sanafir islands took place in Cairo on Monday, 25 April, amid the celebrations of the Sinai Liberation Day.

Several political groups and activists have been planning the protests on the Sinai Liberation Day en days after several thousand people have gathered in Downtown Cairo to protest the decision of Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the country's government regarding the new maritime borders with Saudi Arabia and handing the Red Sea islands to the sovereignty of the kingdom. The rallies were called "Land Friday" though they were dispersed by the security forces, as many activists and participants of the demonstrations were arrested.

Egypt: Armed Forces deploy troops nationwide ahead of the protests planned on Sinai Liberation Day on Monday

Egyptian military troops deployed on the streets of the cities
nationwide ahead of the Monday protests
(Image: Ahram-Online)

Ahram-Online -CAIRO: Activists have set Monday, which marks Sinai Liberation Day, for protests against the recent government announcement that it was acknowledging Saudi ownership of two Red Sea islands under Egyptian control.

Egypt's military said on Sunday that it is deploying forces to secure major public buildings on Monday, which has been set by activists as a date for protests over the recent Saudi island deal.

The army said in a statement that its forces will be deployed around “vital targets and major institutions,” adding that security patrols and military police forces will be stationed in major areas nationwide.

Egypt: two people killed and eleven injured in a bombing in North Sinai

Security cordons in the city of El-Arish in North Sinai
(Image: Al-Ahram)

Two citizens were killed and eleven were wounded in a bombing that occurred in Northern Sinai city of El-Arish on Monday, 18 April.

An improvised explosive device (IED) detonated when a police van transporting the prisoners was passing by. There are three police conscripts among the wounded.

According the Armed Forces and security forces statements unknown assailants have planted the IED in the El-Khazan area aiming to attack the police van.

Egypt's Armed Forces killed nearly 60 militants in the raids in Northern Sinai

Egyptian soldiers during the military operation in Northern
Sinai
(Image: Al-Arabiya)

Egyptian Armed Forces have carried out anti-terrorist operation on Thursday and Friday, 24 and 25 March, in the restive Sinai Peninsula aimed to eliminate terrorist activities in the region and restore security and stability in Northern Sinai.

The raids were carried out in the Northern Sinai cities of Rafah and Sheikh-Zuweid. As a result of the military raids nearly 60 militants were reported to be killed and 40 others were injured, according to the official statement of Brigadier General Mohamed Samir, spokesperson of Egyptian Armed Forces.

Egypt's President El-Sisi praises progress and achievements in his first address to Parliament

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi delivers his speech
in front of the Parliament
(Image: US News)

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi delivered his first official speech before the 596 members of the newly elected and recently convened Egyptian Parliament on Saturday, 13 February. The ceremony was attended by all the members of Egypt's Parliament, House of Representatives, and also by numerous important guests including members of the Cabinet of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister Sherif Ismail, members of the governments of other Arab states, foreign officials and diplomats and religious figures.

In his first speech addressed to the Parliament Abdel Fattah El-Sisi was talking about the achievements and challenges of Egypt, about the social, economic and security issues of Egyptian policies and about the regional issues as well.

Palestinian talks: Fatah reconciliation delegation arrives in Cairo for negotiations

Fatah delegations arrives in Cairo for talks
(Image: Ahram-Online)

An official reconciliation delegation of the Palestinian Movement Fatah arrived in Cairo late of Tuesday, 9 February, for the talks with the Egyptian officials regarding the negotiations with Hamas, the rival Palestinian force.

Fatah delegation arrives in Cairo after the two days long talks with Hamas held earlier in Doha, Qatar.

The delegation of Fatah officials is headed by Azzam Ahmed and its aim is to hold the meetings with Egyptian officials in order to share the outcomes and provide with the updates regarding the talks with Hamas, held in Doha, according to the Fatah sources.

Egypt: Preliminary investigation probes show no evidence of a terrorist attack in the Russian airplane crash

Debris of a Russian passenger jet crashed over Sinai in Egypt
(Image: ABC News)

Egypt's Civil Aviation Ministry made an official statement regarding the preliminary results of an investigation of a Russian passenger jet downed over Central Sinai on 31 October this year. The statement was made on Monday, 14 December, and claimed there was no evidence that the Russian airplane was brought down as a result of a terrorist attack.

Egypt's chief investigator Ayman Al-Muqqadam stated that the investigation and probes concluded by Egypt on Sunday, 13 December, the preliminary report on the Russian airplane crash, and the technical committee has so far found no evidence that the criminal or terrorist activity was the reason of a Russian jet crash. The statement also added that the copies of the preliminary report concluded by Egyptian side was sent to all the international experts taking part in the probe, including aviation experts from Russia, France and Ireland and experts from ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization).

Egypt: four people killed in North Sinai militants' attack in Al-Arish

Egyptian military positions in the city of Al-Arish, Northern Sinai
(Image: Yahoo)

Ahram-Online -CAIRO: Four people -- a judge, a prosecutor, and two security personnel -- were killed on Tuesday and 14 were injured in North Sinai's restive city of Al-Arish during attacks on a hotel where judges supervising the ongoing parliamentary polls were residing.

The ISIS-affiliated militant group in North Sinai, Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis, claimed responsibility for the attacks. The same group said earlier it had brought down the Russian airliner that killed all 224 on board over Sinai last month.

Russian airplane crash: Black boxes analysis indicates the bomb was the most plausible cause of the crash over Sinai

The debris of the Russian airplane in Sinai and Egyptian
soldiers patrolling the area
(Image: The Guardian)

An initial analysis of the black boxes data of the Russian Metrojet airplane crashed on Saturday, 31 October, over Egyptian Sinai, indicates that the bomb explosion was the most plausible cause of the crash, according to the reports of Egyptian officials close to the investigation of the tragedy.

Egyptian, Russian, German and French specialists work in the special investigation committee in order to find out the cause of the terrible tragedy with the Russian civilian jet that was carrying mostly Russian tourists and was on the route from the Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh to Russian St. Petersburg. 224 people on the board died in the airplane crash, there were no survivors.

Egypt: Russian civilian airplane crashed over Sinai

Egyptian PM Sherif Ismail and his office members at the crash scene
(Image: Ahram Online)

Russian civilian airplane Airbus A-321 crashed on Saturday, 31 October, over the Central Sinai, killing all 224 people on the board, among them 217 passengers and 7 crew members.

Russian private airplane owned by Kogalymavia was on route from the Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh to the city of St. Petersburg, carrying mainly tourists.

An airplane reportedly took off at about 6 a.m. local time and suddenly disappeared from the radars after thirty minutes of flight. Last signal received by the flight control authorities was sent over the mountainous Hasana area, which is nearly 35 km from the city of Al-Arish.

Egypt: 11 conscripts injured in Sinai bombing

Egypt's military forces in Northern Sinai
(Image: Ahram-Online)

Eleven police conscripts were injured in a bomb explosion that occurred on Wednesday, 21 October, near the city of El-Arish in Northern Sinai, according to the MENA news agency.

The bomb detonated when the military vehicle with the army and police conscripts was patrolling the area. An explosion has targeted a tank in the Al-Zohour neighborhood, stated representatives of Egypt's Security Forces.

As a result of the bombing 11 conscripts were injured and transported to the neighboring hospitals. The conscripts sustained minor injuries.

Egypt launches massive military operation against ISIS forces in Sinai

Egyptian Military launches major operation against ISIS in
Sinai
(Image: Al-Arabeya)

Egyptian Armed Forces have launched a massive military operation called Right of the Martyr on Monday and Tuesday, according to the official statement of Egyptian military.

The military operation targeted ISIS affiliated militants group Ansar Beyt Al-Maqdis, that pledged allegiance to ISIS and proclaimed itself Sinai Province of ISIS.

Egyptian Armed Forces launched massive airstrikes against the targets and facilities of the militants in the Northern Sinai cities of Rafah, Al-Arish and Sheikh Zuweid. The preliminary reports declared that 29 jihadists have been killed during the Monday early morning operation, while the latest reports stated that at least 134 militants have been killed during the three days of an operation and dozens were wounded. 195 suspected militants have been reportedly arrested as well.

Egypt’s ISIS affiliated group claims to kill Croatian hostage

Croatian hostage Tomislav Salopek abducted by ISIS in Egypt
(Image: International Business Times)

Egypt’s ISIS affiliated group Vilayat Sinai, based in Northern Sinai, claims to kill Croatian hostage Tomislav Salopek, who was abducted in Cairo on 22 July and was held captive since that time.

One of the strongest and deadliest Egyptian jihadist group Ansar Beyt Al-Maqdis, that pledged its allegiance to ISIS in November this year and names itself Vilayat Sinai (Sinai Province) has released on Wednesday, 12 August, pictures of their Croatian hostage who lays beheaded somewhere in the desert. The images were circulated in the ISIS affiliated Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Egypt’s ISIS affiliated group threatens to kill Croatian hostage kidnapped in Cairo

Croatian citizen Tomislav Salopek, kidnapped by ISIS in Egypt
(Image: Egyptian Streets)

ISIS affiliated group Vilayat Sinai (Sinai Province) based in Northern Sinai has released video on Wednesday, 5 August, where it threatens to execute a Croatian citizen within 28 hours if the group’s demands won’t be met.

The video was titled “Message to Egyptian government” and was spread in social media by some supporters and sympathizers of the radical group on Wednesday.

Egypt: four soldiers were killed in North Sinai attack launched by ISIS

Egyptian soldiers in North Sinai
(Image: Ahram Online)

Egypt’s based Sinai Province group, an ISIS affiliate, has claimed responsibility for an attack against Egyptian Armed Forces carried out in North Sinai on Thursday, 23 July.

An Armed Forces official spokesperson Mohamed Samir stated that the bombing struck the military vehicle in the village near the border city of Rafah. The roadside bomb, that hit the armored vehicle, killed four soldiers, among them one officer, and left three soldiers injured, according to the official statement.

Egypt: 7 Army soldiers were killed during the recent North Sinai attacks

Egyptian military in North Sinai
(Image: Al-Arabia)

Egyptian official Armed Forces spokesperson Mohamed Samir issued a statement on Sunday, 19 July, stating that the death toll of the Saturday attacks and the following fighting in North Sinai has risen. Seven Armed Forces personnel were reported killed in separate attacks and 14 soldiers were injured.

Egypt: ISIS claims responsibility for a Saturday attack against military in North Sinai

Egyptian Armed Forces in North Sinai
(Image: DW)

Another sound of attacks hit Egyptian military checkpoints in North Sinai on Saturday, 18 July, the second day of Eid Al-Fitr holiday. Egyptian Armed Forces stated on Saturday, that ISIS affiliated militants have attacked two military checkpoints south of the city Sheikh Zuweid. MENA news agency also reported about an attack claiming mortar rockets and live ammunitions were used by the militants against the security forces.

Three soldiers were killed and four security forces personnel wounded as a result of an attack, according to the official statement of Mohamed Samir, Egypt’s Armed Forces spokesperson. A number of militants were also killed in the following military counter-attack. Reporters though stated that five soldiers were killed and seven soldiers wounded.

Egypt: 241 terrorists reported to be killed by the Armed Forces in North Sinai during the military operation

Mohamed Samir, Egypt's Armed Forces spokesperson
(Image: Ahram Online)

Egyptian Armed Forces have killed 241 terrorists in Northern Sinai during the five days military operation launched in Sinai on 1-5 July, according to the official statement of Egyptian military.

Egypt’s Armed Forces spokesperson, General Mohamed Samir, also stated that four wanted terrorists and 49 suspects were also arrested during an operation.

Egyptian aerial strikes also destroyed four headquarters of the terrorists based in Sinai and numerous bases and facilities as well. An official account of Egyptian Armed Forces on Facebook also contains several pictures of the mangled bodies of the terrorists killed in the military strikes during the past five days. On Saturday, 4 July, military has published videos of its aerial strikes against the terrorists and their facilities in Northern Sinai.

Egypt: journalists can face trial for reporting non-official terrorism statistics

Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, Egyptian President
(Image: Global Search)

New anti-terrorist law recently drafted by Egypt’s Cabinet of Ministers and awaiting Presidential approval criminalizes reporting of terrorism and military operation statistics that differ from those the government and Armed Forces provide.

Under the new anti-terrorist law journalists and reporters including the foreign journalists can be accused of spreading false information and can face two years in jail if they publish figures and data that contradict the official statistics and numbers presented by Egypt’s authorities.

Egypt: major terrorist attack in North Sinai leaves dozens dead

Egyptian Armed Forces in Northern Sinai
(Image: BBC)

Egypt’s North Sinai was shaken on Wednesday, 1 July, by the major terrorist attack which was the biggest and the most coordinated since the beginning of this year.

Fifteen military checkpoints and security forces stations were attacked simultaneously in Northern Sinai cities of El-Arish, Sheikh-Zuweid and Rafah, along the border with Gaza. The attacks started at about midday.

It was the second largest attack that targeted Egyptian security and military forces since January 2015, when a massive attack of militants left 44 soldiers dead in Northern Sinai. Insurgency in the restive Sinai Peninsula intensified since ouster of the Islamist backed President Mohamed Morsi, as hundreds of soldiers and security forces personnel were killed and injured in the numerous attacks against Egypt’s security and military facilities. Civilians were also strongly affected by these attacks.