LIVE UPDATES: Egypt’s army launches ‘Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018’ to purge country from terrorism

On Friday morning, the Egyptian armed forces announced the launch of a new major operation to confront terrorism in north and central Sinai and other parts of the country.

12:45 The General Command of the Armed Forces issued Communique Number 2 which provided details on “Comprehensive Operation – Sinai 2018.”

The Communique was read by military spokesman Colonel Tamer El-Rafei on state TV.

“Great people of Egypt, in a continuation of law enforcement forces’ efforts, elements of our air forces targeted some of the pits, hideouts, and  ammunition and weapons warehouses used by terrorist elements as a base to target the law enforcement forces and civilian targets in North and Middle Sinai,” he said.

“Units from the naval forces are also tightening the security on the sea front, with the aim of cutting all supply lines to terrorist elements.”

“The border guard forces and civilian police are also tightening security procedures at borders and on navigational courses.”

“Joints elements from the armed forces and the police are also tightening the security procedures at vital ports and areas in different areas of the republic,” he said.

12:15 Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said he is following with pride the heroics of the army and police in the  “Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018”.

“I follow with pride the heroics of my sons from the Armed Forces and the Police to purge the beloved land of Egypt from terrorists, the enemies of life. And always, long live Egypt,” El-Sisi said in a post on his official Facebook page.

12:00 A senior interior ministry security source told state agency MENA that the country’s security alert level has been raised to its highest level nationwide, in light of the “fierce war” by the police in coordination with the armed forces to eradicate “the roots of terrorism.”

According to the source, security measures in the vicinity of major state institutions, houses of worship and tourist hotspots have been boosted.

He added that security patrols have been set up in squares and on major highways in each governorate, as well as on connecting roads between governorates, with a continuation of security campaigns to comb remote areas to eliminate threats to the security and stability of citizens.

11:15 Egypt’s armed forces announced on Friday morning a major new military operation dubbed “Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018” to purge country from terrorism.

Military spokesman Colonel Tamer El-Rafei read the army statement “Communique 1 from the General Command of the Armed Forces” on state TV, which announced the launch of the operation.

“Great people of Egypt, in accordance with the delegation issued by the president of the republic, the supreme commander of the Egyptian armed forces, to the general command of the Egyptian armed forces and the interior ministry to comprehensively confront terrorism as well other criminal activities in close cooperation with all state institutions, law enforcement troops started to implement the plan of comprehensive confrontation of terrorist and criminal elements and organizations in north and middle Sinai and other areas in the Nile Delta and the desert areas west of the Nile valley,” he said.

“In addition, the operation will include the implementation of other military and training missions and exercises in all strategic directions with the aim of tightening of control of the borders of the Egyptian state and to ensure the achievement of the planned aims of the clearing of terrorist pits from the areas where they are found, and to protect Egyptian society from the evils of terrorism and extremism, while also confronting other crimes that affect internal security and stability.”

The armed forces “call on all Egyptians in all parts of the republic to closely cooperate with the forces of law enforcement  to confront terrorism and weed out its roots, and to promptly report any elements that threaten the security and stability of the homeland,” the statement ended.

Source:english.ahram.org.eg