EGYPT TO EVACUATE, DESTROY 802 HOUSES IN NORTH SINAI

Sinai, 10 Muharam 1435/3 November 2014 (MINA) – Egypt’s authorities will evacuate residents from 802 homes in North Sinai border area, the Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) revealed in a Monday report by state news agency MENA.

A total of the 1156 families will be evacuated, according to IDSC, the Egyptian Cabinet’s body for disseminating data, Ahram online quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Then, a buffer zone of 500 meters in depth will be established following the evacuation and demolition of houses on the border area of North Sinai.

It claims all of the evacuated homes are built on state-owned land.

The North Sinai border area, stretching from Rafah to Sheikh Zuweid, is currently being evacuated after a deadly attack on 24 October that left at least 31 army personnel dead and other militants died.

It also claims all the evacuated families will be compensated immediately with LE300 (around $42) monthly for three months, the value compatible with monthly rent in the area.

Homeowners will also be compensated for the market value of homes being demolished, it added.

The IDSC report stressed that several meetings have been held with evacuees prior to their evacuation.

The Egyptian military has conducted strikes operations against militants in the Sinai where it get intensified after its freely electedd president Mohammed Morsi ousted by military last year, sparked condemnation globally as well as by militants itself who denied the coup.(T/R04/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)