EGYPT REOPENS RAFAH CROSSING AFTER KIDNAPPED SOLDIERS RELEASE

Rafah, 13 Rajab 1434/23 May 2013 (MINA) – Egyptian police officers reopened the Rafah crossing on Wednesday following the release of seven Egyptian officers on Wednesday, military officials said as quoted by Maan.

The crossing had been closed for 5 days following the abduction of the servicemen on Thursday by armed gunmen.

The seven officers were released in a desert area south of el-Arish city, Egyptian security services told Ma’an. A military helicopter immediately headed to the area and took the Egyptian officers back to Cairo.

Maan news agency quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting that a spokesman for the Egyptian armed forces, colonel Ahmad Muhammad Ali, confirmed that the soldiers had been released and were on their way to Cairo.

Also Read: IMPORT LIMITATIONS THREATEN MANY YEMENI CHILDREN: UNICEF

The release of the servicemen came after intensive efforts by Egyptian intelligence in cooperation with the “noble people of Sinai and tribal sheikhs,” Ali added.

Egyptian security sources said the gunmen were Jihadists and were demanding the release of suspects accused of killing Egyptian officers in an attack on el-Arish police station in August.

Over 2,400 Palestinians were stranded on both sides of the Rafah crossing following the closure, with a Gaza-based human rights group calling on Egypt to exclude Rafah “from the internal affairs of both sides”. (T/P01/E1).

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)