NORTH SINAI CURFEW EXTENDED FOR THREE MONTHS

sinai-warga-shehab — One of resident of North Sinai crying over demolition in Sinai recently. Photo; Shehab

Cairo, 5 Rabi’ul Akhir 1436/26 January 2015 (MINA) – Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab has extended a curfew in parts of North Sinai by another three months, Al-Ahram Arabic website reported.

The 11-hour curfew was initially imposed on 25 October, one day after 31 army personnel were killed in a car bomb attack and 30 others injured, Ahram online quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

Following the attack, the government decided to create a buffer zone along the border with the Gaza Strip. Hundreds of people lost their homes as the Egypt security destroys it as part of the buffer zone area.

Houses are currently being demolished in an area that is one kilometre wide and 14 kilometres long.

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The security personnel and militants in the Sinai has been striking each other for years, following tension in the country.

The army has been waging war against militants in the area, and has killed hundreds of alleged militants. Civilians have been affected too.

Sinai-based militants Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis have declared responsibility for attacks in the area. They have recently declared allegiance to Islamic State (IS), a militant group based in Iraq and some parts of Syria.(T/R04/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)