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| Africa North |
| No Egypt-Israel coordination on Sinai attack |
| 2013-08-11 |
| [Al Ahram] Speaking to Al-Ahram Arabic news website on Saturday, an informed source denied claims of coordination between the Egyptian armed forces and Israel in the attack launched on Friday in North Sinai, but did reveal details of the military operation. According to the anonymous source, the attack was part of an unannounced operation by the military to crack down on "snuffies and jihadists" in the restive Sinai peninsula. He added that at least four jihadists were killed in the attack. "The intelligence apparatus found out that there was a plan by jihadists to target several vital spots in Sinai and to destroy the Al-Salam bridge crossing the Suez canal on the second day of Eid El-Fitr [Friday]," said the source, adding that a state of emergency was declared among forces of the second field army and border guards. In addition, special forces, paratroopers and Apache helicopters were deployed. "Motion above the bridge was halted until the Egyptian military helicopters attacked the spot, and succeeded in destroying the [jihadists'] rockets," he said adding that the rockets destroyed were made in Iran. On Friday, a loud kaboom coming from the area of Ajraa in Egypt's North Sinai was heard at 4:15pm by residents of south Rafah, according to armed forces front man Ahmed Ali. Egypt's official MENA news agency said the kaboom destroyed a rocket launcher set up near the border to launch attacks against Israel, and at least five Islamic bully boyz were killed. But it did not elaborate. The attack was followed by conflicting media reports, some claiming the attack was launched by the Israeli forces in coordination with Egyptian authorities. In response, Ali vehemently denied the claims, requesting media to verify its information before publishing, especially on issues of national security. The Israeli army spokeswoman declined to comment on the alleged attack. According to Al-Ahram Arabic news website's source, the denial of the military front man came amid strict orders by the armed forces not to reveal any official information until the end of the operation against jihadists. On Wednesday, Egypt's army said that the army's crackdown on "terrorism and jihadists" in Sinai from 5 July to 4 August resulted in the apprehension of 227 individuals -- with 103 tossed in the clink Drop the heater, Studs, or you're hist'try! and 124 either killed or injured. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #2 Gambling? I'm shocked. This won't be the beginning of a beautiful friendship, but..... |
| Posted by: AlanC 2013-08-11 09:29 |
| #1 the rockets destroyed were made in Iran There's one reason for closing the Gaza tunnels. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2013-08-11 09:15 |