Sisi: Martyrs' blood will not be shed in vain

CAIRO – 22 October 2017: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi held a meeting this morning with Minister of Defense Sedki Sobhi, Minister of Interior Magdy Abdel Ghaffar, Head of General Intelligence Khaled Fawzi, and a number of leaders and officials from the Ministries of Defense and Interior.

Official presidential spokesman Ambassador Alaa Youssef stated that during the meeting the president listened to a detailed report on the clashes that took place last Friday between security forces and a number of terrorist elements at Al-Wahat Al-Bahareya area, which resulted in the death of a number of policemen and terrorists.

Youssef added that the president extended his condolences to the victims’ families; stressing that those heroes have demonstrated ideals of courage and loyalty to their homeland and that their sacrifices will not be in vain.

The president instructed all concerned authorities to exert their utmost efforts in pursuing the terrorists who committed the incident; in addition to intensifying security and military measures to secure the country's borders from infiltration attempts. Sisi also stressed that Egypt will continue confronting terrorism and those who finance it, and facing it with all force, resolve and effectiveness.

The president stressed that the war on terrorism has a special nature which differs from regular wars. In past years, armed men and security forces have succeeded in restoring stability and security, in addition to besieging and restricting terrorist groups.

Sisi also stressed that the objectives of terrorism should not be allowed to affect the morale of the Egyptian people. Egyptians are fully aware of the magnitude of the challenge and appreciate the sacrifices of martyrs who gave up their lives for the sake of national security and the safety of citizens.

The Interior Ministry released a statement Saturday in which it announced that 16 security officers were killed during clashes with militants in Wahat in the Western Desert in the early hours of Saturday, which led to the killing of 15 militants.

The statement added that the Interior Ministry’s National Security Service received information about the location of dangerous militants taking shelter in the Western Desert’s kilo 135, and then a raid was ordered to be launched.

The interior minister confirmed that the security forces are now combing the area and chasing the remaining attackers, urging media outlets to validate information and tip-offs before broadcast to avoid unwanted repercussions.

The statement concluded by asserting the Interior Ministry’s solidified determination to eradicate terrorism and dry out its breeding grounds and hotbeds.