The security sweep comes as President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is seeking re-election in March, after a first term in office that has seen him crack down on an Islamist insurgency and other opponents. Egypt’s security forces have been increasingly targeted by jihadists since the army in 2013 — then headed by Sisi — overthrew Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. Militants linked to the Islamic State group have waged a deadly insurgency in the Sinai against Egyptian security forces. The Egyptian air force and the navy have been taking part in the operation, with the Sinai sweep focusing on targets in the north and centre of the peninsula. In November, Sisi ordered his armed forces chief of staff to restore security in Sinai within three months after militants killed more than 300 worshippers at a mosque.

Source: Punch February 12, 2018 10:18 UTC