Egypt’s President made an unannounced visit to the Sinai Peninsula on Saturday to rally troops following a wave of deadly jihadis attacks on security forces, his office said.
“President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is inspecting troops and police in the North Sinai,” his office said without specifying where in the restive province.
Sisi’s Government called in air strikes on Wednesday after a spectacular attack by Islamic State group jihadis in the North Sinai town of Sheikh Zuweid left dozens dead.
The Army said 17 soldiers and 100 militants had been killed. But medical and security officials said the death toll was at least 70 people — mostly soldiers — as well as dozens of jihadis.
The violence poses a major test for Sisi, a former Army chief who has pledged to eliminate the militants.