Who’s really benefiting from Sinai’s state of emergency?

Rania Rabeaa Elabd

Jun 21, 2016

An Egyptian soldier inspects vehicles at a check point in northern Sinai, May 25, 2015. Authorities in the Sinai Peninsula are battling insurgents who support Islamic State, the militant group that has seized parts of Iraq, Syria and Libya. The Sinai conflict, which has has displaced hundreds of Egyptians, is the biggest security challenge for President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who has promised to deliver stability after four years of turmoil triggered by the 2011 uprising. Picture taken May 25, 2015. REUTERS/ — An Egyptian soldier inspects vehicles at a checkpoint in North Sinai, May 25, 2015. — REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih

عربي

Critics say the continued state of emergency in the Sinai Peninsula, designed to protect citizens from terrorist attacks, has turned into a threat to their lives, as terrorists are taking advantage of the situation.

Moreover, security forces’ misuse of the state of emergency and related curfews has increased people’s hostility against the police and army. Citizens say people are being detained without written arrest warrants.