Egypt's Sinai sees fresh clashes between gunmen, police August 9, 2012 - 14:35 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Fresh fighting has broken out between gunmen and police in Egypt's Sinai peninsula, according to state TV, BBC News reported. The clashes near a police station in the town of al-Arish come a day after the Egyptian military launched an offensive against suspected Islamist militants in the region. The military action followed the killing of 16 border guards on Sunday, August 5. The Egyptian president sacked the country's intelligence chief and the province's governor on Wednesday. Nile News TV said on Thursday that "clashes resumed between armed men and police forces in front of police station number two in al-Arish". There are no reports as yet of casualties. The violence began on Sunday, when militants carried out the deadliest and most brazen attack against Egyptian troops in the Sinai region for decades. Further attacks on checkpoints in al-Arish on Wednesday left a number of people wounded. The military offensive was then launched hours later. According to military officials, 20 people were killed in the village of Touma, while the Sheikh Zuwaid area to the west was also hit. The offensive continued on Thursday, according to state news agency Mena, with a focus on the al-Arish, Sheikh Zuwaid and Rafah areas. It follows criticism of President Mohammed Mursi for not taking decisive action. Egypt's military presence in Sinai is limited and requires Israeli approval under the terms of the 1979 peace treaty which returned Sinai to Egyptian control. Analysts say that the security situation in the area has deteriorated following the fall of Hosni Mubarak last year, and that Islamist extremists appear to have gained a foothold. The Egyptian army has begun sealing off and destroying tunnels linking Egypt to the Gaza Strip, Mena says. There are more than 1,200 illegal tunnels along the Egypt-Gaza border that are used for smuggling people and goods, Mena reports. The militants who launched Sunday's attacks are believed to have used them as an escape route.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border  The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel.Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan.Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. |
