Egypt army ‘kills 88 militants’ in North Sinai in third stage of Martyr’s Right

The Egyptian army said on Wednesday that its forces have killed 88 militants in central and North Sinai during recent military operations.

As a continuation of an earlier campaign which started in September 2015, the army announced that it will begin the third phase of the operation entitled Martyr’s Right.

Martyr’s Right is a comprehensive military operation targeting Islamist militants in North Sinai.

Army spokesperson Mohamed Samir said that during the past four days Egyptian forces killed 85 militants, detained three suspects, and destroyed 73 hideouts, ten cars and five motorcycles.

Samir also announced the killing of three other militants in the western parts of Halal Mountain in North Sinai.

In tandem with ground operations, “Navy special forces imposed control over Egyptian coasts to prevent illegal migration or any attempt of infiltration and smuggling across the sea,” the statement read.

Martyr’s Right is the largest and most comprehensive military operation aimed at rooting out and killing militants operating in the restive peninsula.

The Egyptian army announced the end of the first stage of the operation – which lasted 16 days – on 22 September, after the “achievement of its primary objectives.”

The first phase of the operation concluded with the killing of over 500 militants and the destruction of various militant hideouts and artillery storage facilities in North Sinai.

Phase two of the operation, according to a statement released by the army, will “pave the road for creating suitable conditions to start development projects in Sinai.”

Source: Ahram Online