Egyptian officials: Military offensives in North Sinai are 'counterproductive'
A number of Egyptian military sources have spoken to The New Arab on condition of anonymity, confirming that the current military strategy against armed militants is not working.
2 min read
Violence begets violence in the Sinai peninsula as army violence leads to counter-attacks [Getty]
Official sources in Egypt have spoken with the New Arab and confirmed that the current military strategy in North Sinai is 'counter-productive'.
Following two years of extensive military action against armed militants in the region, there has been a recent lull in fighting, however local sources in Arish have confirmed that the army does not yet command control.
One military source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told The New Arab: "residents have either been displaced or have left their homes voluntarily, due to the continuous attacks since the beginning of military operations in the region.
"This violence has created a huge power vacuum which the army cannot now control.
"Armed insurgents now control North Sinai through access to various tribes and large families."
Egyptian forces have been fighting against Islamic militants in the region who want to set up an autonomous Islamic government in the region.
A spokesperson for 24 Sinai, a news outlet in the Sinai, told The New Arab: "The army controls the towns but the militias move around with great ease.
"Every time there is an attack from the army, it always provokes ill feelings with people which leads to more violence.
"Any escalation in violence in Sinai is always counter-productive - and this has been growing since the campaign started."
Another source, who also spoke anonymously, said: "The reality on the ground is different to what the military sources are broadcasting.
"Armed groups have gained control over extensive areas of influence in the towns of Rafah and Sheikh Zuwaid [located near the Israeli border] and conduct ambushes on an ongoing basis."
Egyptian president, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, had told his Israeli counterparts that Israeli-Egyptian joint forces were "on top of the terror situation in Sinai", in a closed door meeting in New York on Tuesday.
Egypt is working with Israeli intelligence forces to suppress violence in the area near the Israeli border.
One military source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told The New Arab: "residents have either been displaced or have left their homes voluntarily, due to the continuous attacks since the beginning of military operations in the region.
"This violence has created a huge power vacuum which the army cannot now control.
"Armed insurgents now control North Sinai through access to various tribes and large families."
Egyptian forces have been fighting against Islamic militants in the region who want to set up an autonomous Islamic government in the region.
A spokesperson for 24 Sinai, a news outlet in the Sinai, told The New Arab: "The army controls the towns but the militias move around with great ease.
"Every time there is an attack from the army, it always provokes ill feelings with people which leads to more violence.
"Any escalation in violence in Sinai is always counter-productive - and this has been growing since the campaign started."
Another source, who also spoke anonymously, said: "The reality on the ground is different to what the military sources are broadcasting.
"Armed groups have gained control over extensive areas of influence in the towns of Rafah and Sheikh Zuwaid [located near the Israeli border] and conduct ambushes on an ongoing basis."
Egyptian president, Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, had told his Israeli counterparts that Israeli-Egyptian joint forces were "on top of the terror situation in Sinai", in a closed door meeting in New York on Tuesday.
Egypt is working with Israeli intelligence forces to suppress violence in the area near the Israeli border.
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