Army and police troops have continued their major operation targeting extremist spots in Sinai Peninsula who have stepped their wave of attacks against the forces which started since the ouster of former president Mohamed Morsy.
Apache fighters pounded a number of what the commanders said were extremist havens in several areas south of the city of Sheikh Zuwayed, which had been the scene of the latest deadly attack that claimed the lives of at least 31 personnel two weeks ago.
The raids left dozens of extremist elements killed, according to security officials accounts. Several suspected residences were invaded and many people were arrested for investigation.
Heavy rains on Friday added to the dilemma of the citizens of Rafah who had been obliged to evacuate their homes and mostly having to wait stay up at streets. Some told Al-Masry Al-Youm that they had endured the bitterly cold weather and had not received any temporary compensations to hold out.
A military source in North Sinai told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the army informs authorities of the houses beneath which underground smuggling tunnels are found so as to deny their owners compensation. The source added that such houses are systematically blown up.
Egyptian forces have been cracking down on the tunnels which authorities believe are used to smuggle weapons to terrorist groups based in the peninsula.
The same source revealed that operations will expand over the next days at more villages in North Sinai to which extremist suspects headed, escaping invaded areas. The military official declined to set a timeline for the operations.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
