|
Trending Topics
|
Source: http://www.jpost.com/International/Arab-world-Egypts-dangerous-stalemate-398383
In Egypt, Dangerous Stalemate Against Islamic Terrorism
(Jerusalem Post) Zvi Mazel - Egyptian President Sisi is fighting for his country's survival - and his own. Despite the army's all-out effort to defeat Islamist insurgency in Sinai, there is no end in sight. F-16 fighter planes and Apache helicopters have joined the campaign, security forces have killed or wounded hundreds of terrorists - but more keep coming. Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis gunmen, who have pledged allegiance to Islamic State, continue making daring raids against police stations and other security targets, leading to loss of life. Islamic State dispatches terrorists and weapons to Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis in Sinai from Libya, where there is an unlimited supply of both. The situation has reached a stalemate, though the army has managed to contain the terrorists in the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula. However, there are still sporadic terrorist attacks in Cairo and other parts of the country. Egypt is going it alone, still waiting for the West to understand that Cairo remains its best ally against the rising tide of terrorism. The writer is a former ambassador to Romania, Egypt, and Sweden.