In pics: Sisi's sudden visit to the Military Academy

CAIRO- 19 February 2018: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi asserted during his sudden visit to the Military Academy’s students on Monday that the terrorism Egypt is facing aims to destroy the country’s future.

He added in a short speech that the Armed forces' main mission is to preserve the country’s stability, and the people’s security. “The Army and Police forces' duty is to secure the whole country, not just Sinai,” Sisi said.


President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi during his visit early Monday, February 19, to the Military Academy- Press photo


Sisi also demanded the students to stick to the noble military morals. “Your colleagues from the Police and Army forces are exerting great effort to counter terrorism all over the country,” he added.

President Sisi attended several trainings and exercises in the academy which aim to raise the students' physical abilities.

Sisi stressed that Egypt has been facing challenges in its fight against terrorism for a long time, affirming on several occasions that Egypt is fighting the war against terrorism on behalf of the world.



President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi during his visit early Monday, February 19, to the Military Academy- Press photo


The Egyptian Armed Forces launched on Friday, February 9, a full-scale military operation titled "Sinai 2018" to confront terrorist elements in Sinai and other areas across the country. Military spokesman Tamer el-Rafei announced the launch of the major new military operation as he read a statement from the General Command of the Armed Forces on the state-run TV.

In a press conference, on Thursday, February 15, Refai announced the main outcomes of the operation, saying that the army managed to kill 53 takfiri elements and detain four others. Some 675 terrorists escaped and a suspected criminal was detained.


President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi during his visit early Monday, February 19, to the Military Academy- Press photo


Refai also said that 57 four wheel vehicles and 88 motorcycles used by terrorists were destroyed, and the security forces destroyed 378 terrorist hotbeds, weapons and ammunition stores in Sinai. Among these hotbeds was a media center used by the takfiri elements.

Moreover, Refai announced the discovery and destruction of 177 explosive devices and up to 1500 kilograms of TNT explosives, including C4.

He concluded that the military forces managed to discover and destroy three holes on the border strip of Sinai. In addition, the forces destroyed 35 farms of Bango plants and seized 8.3 tons of narcotic substances.



President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi during his visit early Monday, February 19, to the Military Academy- Press photo