Egyptian authorities continue their efforts to cleanse Sinai of remnants of ISIS, successfully purging the villages of Al-Matlou'a and Al-Husainiyat east of Sheikh Zuweid, with the assistance of the Sinai Tribes Union. An local source revealed to "Al-Arabiya.net" that under the supervision of the army, the Sinai Tribes Union managed to storm hideouts used by ISIS as bases and sanctuaries in the villages, eliminating the most dangerous military commander of ISIS in the village of Al-Maqata'a, named Mustafa Shaaban Abu Drah. The source added that two other leaders of the organization were killed while trying to flee from Al-Maqata'a toward Al-Matlou'a at a checkpoint belonging to the army.
Additionally, many women and children associated with the organization surrendered to members of the tribes, while explosives and bombs planted by the elements of the organization in several homes, roads, and farms were dismantled. The source stated that the forces successfully completed the cleansing of the villages in the area and neutralized the explosives to avoid casualties among civilians upon their return to their homes and villages.
Days ago, three ISIS members were killed, and others were detained during raids by the Sinai Tribes Union targeting locations where organization members were hiding in the "Shaybana" area southeast of Rafah city. Direct clashes with some of the present elements resulted in the elimination of three members, with others captured; two members of the tribes were also killed, and one was injured.
In February 2018, the Egyptian army launched an operation to eradicate extremist groups in North Sinai entirely. This operation began on February 9, 2018, in North and Central Sinai, as well as other areas in the Nile Delta and the desert flank west of the Nile Valley, aiming to tighten control over external access points and cleanse all of Egypt from terrorist and extremist elements.
