Egypt: 52 suspected terrorists killed in eastern Sinai October 8

Event

On Monday, October 8, the Egyptian military announced that security forces had killed 52 suspected terrorists in eastern Sinai, as part of an ongoing military operation. Three soldiers were also reportedly killed during the assault. Further attacks on suspected militant hideouts in the region are to be expected.

Context

Security forces are currently conducting a significant counterterrorism operation in Egypt. The "Sinai 2018" operation aims to neutralize suspected militant and criminal cells in the Sinai Peninsula, the Nile Delta, and the Western Desert, as well as reinforce state control along the country's borders. The Egyptian police and the army have been placed on maximum alert in these regions for the duration of the operation. The Sinai Peninsula has been the epicenter of frequent attacks by Islamic State (IS) affiliated militants since 2013, usually targeting security forces or minority Coptic Christians.

Advice

Due to the prevailing terrorism threat, individuals throughout Egypt should report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities and always be on guard when visiting sites deemed particularly vulnerable to an attack (i.e. public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.). Many governments advise against travel to North Sinai, where authorities maintain a media blackout and special security zones amid the ongoing anti-terrorist campaign.