In a press conference held on by the Egyptian Army’s Department of Morale Affairs, spokesperson of the Egyptian Army Tamer al-Refaie said:
“Egypt is proceeding with its ‘Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018’ which targets terrorist hotspots in North and central Sinai.”
“The Armed Forces and civilian police have launched a large-scale security operation, raiding strongholds of terrorism all over Egypt,” Refaie said. “They are still fighting Takfiris in North and Central Sinai. [Takfiris are Islamists jihadis who claim moderate Muslims are kafir, meaning infidels.] This is done in parallel to battles by the Border Guards and Air Force against smuggling weapons.”
In the press conference, Refaie reviewed the outcome of the Comprehensive Sinai 2018 operation, referring to the official statements issued by the Armed Forces. He said that 71 takfiri elements were killed, and five detained. Another 1,852 criminal—wanted or suspected—elements were detained; 1,282 tents and hotbeds used by terrorist elements to hide and store administrative and medical needs, weapons, ammunition, and mines used in manufacturing explosive devices were destroyed. Among these hotbeds were two media centres used by takfiri elements.
Refaie announced the discovery and destruction of 393 explosive devices and up to large amounts of TNT explosives, including C4. A number of four-wheel vehicles and 269 motorcycles used by terrorists were destroyed.
In addition, the military and police succeeded in destroying 53 farms of Banjo plants and seized 39.3 tons of narcotic substances, and two million and 100,000 drug-tablets.
Seven soldiers of the Armed Forces were martyred and six others were injured, Refaie said.
Along a related line, the Cleopatra 2018, a joint Egyptian-French naval manoeuvre, took place from 20 to 23 February. The exercises are part of the army’s annual joint exercises with forces from friendly and allied nations. This year the exercises were carried out alongside the navy’s assigned missions within the framework of Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018 and include a range of activities in the area of the Red Sea covered by Egypt’s Southern Fleet.
Watani International
25 February 2018