Egypt’s Sisi orders army, police to restore order with “utmost force” in Sinai
Egypt’s Army Chief of Staff Mohammed Farid Hegazi giving the military salute to president Sisi during after the latter commanded the army and the police to restore stability in Sinai within three month, Wednesday 29 Novemeb
Egypt’s Army Chief of Staff Mohammed Farid Hegazi giving the military salute to president Sisi during after the latter commanded the army and the police to restore stability in Sinai within three month, Wednesday 29 Novemeber
Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Wednesday commanded the Egyptian army and police forces to restore stability and security in the Sinai Peninsula within three months using “atmost force.”
The president’s orders came as part of his speech on Wednesday at an event marking the celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s birth (Moulid El-Nabi), which was also attended by Egypt’s Minister of Religious Endowments Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed El Tayyeb.
Addressing the country’s newly appointed Army Chief of Staff Mohamed Farid Hegazi, El-Sisi demanded that the army and the police adhere to this commitment.
“I hold Lieutenant General Hegazy, along with the ministry of interior, responsible for restoring stability and security in Sinai within three months,” El-Sisi said, directly addressing Hegazi, who stood at military attention.
The Egyptian president’s statement comes after 305 worshippers were massacred at Al-Rawda mosque in the North Sinai city of Bir El-Abd on Friday in the worst terror attack in the country’s recent history.
Wednesday’s orders are the Egyptian president’s second public authorization of “atmost force” in counterterrorism operations since the Friday terrorist attack.
Hours after the massacre, El-Sisi gave a speech saying that the military and police will avenge the martyrs and respond using utmost force against terrorists to ensure stability and security.
On Friday, President El-Sisi declared three days of national mourning for the victims of the attack.