Parliamentarians release statements deploring North Sinai attack

CAIRO – 7 July 2017: In the wake of the heinous terrorist attack on an army checkpoint which which resulted in killing and injuring 26 Egyptian soldiers, a number of parliamentarians vented their anger through press statements.

Early Friday, two vehicles were detonated while passing a checkpoint in an area between Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid in North Sinai.

Egypt faces an militants led by Islamic State terrorist group in North Sinai, where hundreds of soldiers and police have been killed since the ouster of outlawed Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated former President Mohamed Morsi in 2013.

Head of the Housing, Public Utilities and Reconstruction Committee Alaa wali deplored Friday’s terrorist attack, saying that such terrorist acts will not deter our Military veterans and Egyptian people from purging (their) lands of the takfiri and terrorists.”

He further affirmed the Egyptian army’s continuous efforts in the face of terrorists both inside and outside the country, adding that the schemes managed by countries, which are proven to be backing terrorism and whose aim is to destabilize our national security and stability are already unveiled.

In a statement released Friday, the Parliament emphasized that this heinous aggression would not deter Egyptians from purging the country of terrorists.

Parliamentarian Magdy Bayoumi called on President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi to use a heavy-hand in fighting terrorists, adding “We want our martyrs’ rights.”

Parliament’s Defense Committee member, Ahmed Ismail said that “Qatar will pay heavy price for its reckless acts,” confirming that Qatar proved to have been launching and moderating fake Twitter accounts to disseminate rumors and post anti-Saudi Arabia tweets.

After several states severed ties with Doha last month, Egyptian politicians and social media demanded probing Qatar internationally, accusing the Gulf country of involvement in funding terrorist groups, which launched attacks killing thousands of Egyptian armed and police forces over the past few years.

Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain cut diplomatic ties with the state of Qatar on June 5 on charges of supporting terrorism and extremist groups in the region.

Margaret Azer, deputy chairman of the human rights committee deploring the terrorist attack, confirming that Egyptian people are consistently and firmly standing with their army in their battle against terrorism.