59 Takfiris Killed, 242 Explosive Devices Defused: Sinai 2018

By Nawal Sayed

CAIRO, Jan. 22 (SEE) -  A total of 59 takfiris were eliminated, during

the last period, including 15 "highly dangerous" terrorists, according

to a military statement issued Tuesday as part of the military operation

launched last year to end terrorism nationwide under the motto of "Sinai

2018".

The statement said the operation

comes within the framework of the security forces' efforts to combat terrorism

in all "strategic directions" of the state, without giving further information

about the locations where the 59 elements were killed. 

Egyptian army troops in

cooperation with police forces arrested 142 criminals and wanted suspects.

The forces seized 15 vehicles that

the terrorists were using during their attacks, in addition to 43 motorcycles

with no metal plates.   

The Egyptian forces destroyed many hideouts in Central and North Sinai, where explosives and motorcycles were found. Four tunnels were destroyed in North Sinai and some 344 explosive devices were detected and eliminated on the route of the forces. 

Thousands of bullets, thousands of kilos of drugs, dozens of vehicles used by terrorists, and tons of rocks mixed with gold were seized. 

The military engineers detected

and defused 424 explosive devices that were implanted to target the forces in

the areas of operations, the statement read.

The Air Forces managed to destroy

a number of 56 four-wheel drive vehicles the takfiri elements used, and

demolish many hideouts that were used to harbor terrorists in central and

northern Sinai, the statement revealed. Inside these hideouts, weapons,

ammunition and car parts were found and seized. 

The border guards also could

prevent a number of 2,189 people of different nationalities from illegally

immigrate, in all the strategic directions of the country, according to the

statement. 

Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018

was launched last February at all Egyptian land and maritime borders,

especially in Sinai. The operation has proven largely successful as terrorist

attacks have significantly decreased.