To sort out Sinai

The Sinai Peninsula has been the scene of frequent acts of terrorism and sabotage carried out by radical Islamists associated with Daesh or Al Qaeda movements for a number of years.

However, after the toppling of the regime of Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi two years ago, acts of terrorism against the Egyptian government forces deployed in the area have intensified.

Last Sunday, the towns of Sheikh Zuweid and Rafah witnessed some of the heaviest fighting so far between terrorists and Egyptian army. It left scores dead on both sides.

While Cairo says the situation in the peninsula is completely under the control of the country’s armed forces, the risk of renewed clashes and a spillover cannot be ruled out, particularly in view of the vastness of the territory where radicals have been holed up for years and successfully established a network of command centres for their armed actions.

The Egyptian army cannot be deployed in full force in the area due to restrictions in the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty stipulating the strength of Egyptian army personnel and the kinds of heavy weapons it is allowed to use.

Extremists are clearly exploiting the situation, taking over territory, filling the vacuum created by these restrictions.

The Egyptian government cannot be expected to restore peace and normalcy to Sinai as long as its hands are tied up by the conditions imposed on it by the peace treaty with Israel.

Lifting, or at least relaxing these restrictions, would serve the interests of both Egypt and Israel, as a bigger force, well armed, can be expected to restore stability to Sinai.

Left as it is, this territory will become a breeding ground for all kinds of lawless people whose mindless acts present a danger to Egypt and farther.