200 suspects captured in security operations in Egypt's Sinai

Egyptian Interior Minister Major-General Mohammad Ibrahim said on Monday that around 200 suspects linked to terrorist groups have been captured during the intensive security operations in North Sinai carried out by Egyptian armed and police forces. Among the detained individuals is Adel Habara, an Al-Qaeda-linked suspect, was also captured along with huge quantities of heavy arms and communications devices, Ibrahim stated to MENA. Directions were given to Major General Osama Ismail, deputy minister of interior for the Sinai region and Suez Canal, to tightly monitor all crossings from and to Sinai in the Delta's three towns to prevent infiltrating of terrorist groups to those governorates, added Ibrahim. He asserted that he follows, alongside his assistants, the security operations in Sinai moment by moment to check on their results, as well as safety of the forces. He noted that he has directed provision of all possibilities and necessary preparations for the safety of the security forces in order to enable them perform their duties professionally, especially that these terrorist groups use heavy weapons. In the same context, the Egyptian minister expressed his appreciation to the honorary role taken by Sinai's residents, families, and tribes, noting that they have never hesitated in supporting the security efforts to protect their area, nor in making an effort in fully cooperating with the security bodies in its war against terrorism.