Analysis: Egypt is Losing Its War Against ISIS in Sinai

Jerusalem Post ^ | July 2, 2015 | YOSSI MELMAN

[lbryce]

Wednesday's terror attack was the largest ever carried out by the Sinai Province, Islamic State's Egyptian affiliate, since it began its fight against the government in Cairo some four years ago.

It also marked the most painful blow suffered by the Egyptian military in its war on extremist Islamist terror, which it is bent on eradicating.

It was a well-planned attack, carried out by dozens of ISIS operatives in northern Sinai, and the explosions and weapons fire were heard loud and clear in Israel.

Amid concerns that ISIS may try to spread their attacks in the direction of Israel - and in the past there have been several instances that started with clashes with the Egyptian army in Sinai and ended in infiltrations into Israel - the IDF decided to raise its preparedness along the border and to close the Kerem Shalom and Nitsana border crossings. The crossings were reopened on Thursday.

[lbryce]

This does not bode well for Israel no matter what it could do in its own defense.

The Egyptian Armed Forces are the largest in Africa, and the Middle East and also one of the largest in the world. If they're losing its war against ISIS in the Sinai, we've got serious trouble for the Middle East and Israel in particular.

[Diogenesis]

This is why the White Mosque will not attack
ISIS, OR let America send weapons to the Kurds.

The White Mosque anticipates and funds future
genocide, just like they tried to do in Benghazi,
and in Egypt, and in Iraq, and in America.

[Truth29]

I wonder if ISIS is using American supplied weaponry and funding? The Obama regime would love to topple el-Sissi in favor of the Muslim Brotherhood or other Islamist government.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks lbryce. Egypt needs to go medieval on the Sinai, and (other than the monastery), round up everyone in the Sinai, relocating them to a single area. Those who shoot back in resistance should be killed. Then Egypt needs to complete the barrier it was building between Gaza and Sinai.

• Massive assault on Egypt army in Sinai kills 53 troops [2015]
• Fifty killed in North Sinai attacks claimed by Islamic State [2015]
• Iran's Drones Loom Over the World's Oil Tankers [2015]
• Egypt floods Gaza tunnels, cut Palestinian lifeline [2013]
• Egypt proposes water barrier and kilometer wide sterile zone in Philadelphi Corridor [2007]
• ISRAEL LAUNCHES GAZA MOAT PLAN [2004]
• Israel may build canal to separate Gaza from Egypt [2004]
• The Egyptian Underground -- Rooting out the terrorists [2003]
• 185 Christians Arrested During Raid in Eritrea [2013]
• A Trail of Bullet Casings Leads From Africa's Wars to Iran [2013]
• (Islamic) Eritrea-trained gunmen killed tourists [2012]
• The Eritrean people are not in need of any religion from foreigners: EOC Patriarch [2008]
• Sinai Massacre -- an Iranian-Hizballah-al Qaeda Co-production [2004]

[Paulie]

I imagine the answer to your question is ‘yes’.

I further imagine the proof of the answer to your question is hidden deep within Hillary’s emails.

[headsonpikes]

surprise,surprise,surprise...

[lbryce]

What are you so gleefully surprised about?

[onona]

I would go all in on El Sisi.

[lbryce]

I'm curious. what do you mean when you say you would go all in on El Sisi?

[veracious]

No evidence that are losing the _war_ in Sinai. A serious single day loss though.

[onona]

I can’t believe yet that El Sisi would roll over one bit against ISIS. Not after his actions against the MB.

[headsonpikes]

no glee, and no surprise, eiher.

[lapsus calami]

 

 

If this report is accurate, it's telling that they're getting a lot of outside aid and resources. Plenty of overt contrast to be seen - the previous most dangerous islamokazi bad guys, the Al Qaeda, were more of a mercurial presentation, flitting around in the shadows, while this ISIS bunch is operating fully out in the open, without restraint, surpassing everything that Al Qaeda claimed to be. They're getting help, and lots of it.

 

 

[lbryce]

circumstances. So, if Egypt’s situation isn’t as bad as being reported, what would Israel have to gain, if they are manipulating the news, from doing so? It’s very puzzling.

[lbryce]

I find it hard to believe the Jerusalem Post headline. What would Israel have to gain by making the circumstances seemingly so grim? it’s very puzzling.

[PIF]

Egypt walks a fine line with its troops in the Sinai. Too many and Israel will take note. It is suposed to be a demilled zone. The troops there are hardly ready for full combat, but rather to keep the Beduin and smugglers at bay.; also to collect a little bakshish along the way as a suppliment to the Army pay.

Egypt will either have to put in some proper combat units or cede the Sinai - Israel will have to go along with that plan.

[lbryce]

Thanks very much for the explanation. They’re not losing but they’re not winning because they can not commit the necessary resources because of the Sinai Accords.
So as far as the Jerusalem Post is concerned their headline is at the very least, misleading. I’ve learned a lesson not to trust them again to be posted here.