Egypt targets ISIS affiliate in Western Desert

Egyptian security forces on Sunday (August 13th) killed three armed militants affiliated with the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) during a shootout in the Western Desert, the interior ministry said.

"One of the three militants was wearing an explosives vest that exploded during a shootout with the forces, while the security forces chased and killed the other two," the ministry said in a statement.

According to intelligence information received by the ministry, elements of ISIS affiliate Junoud al-Khilafa (Soldiers of the Caliphate) have been active in the mountainous areas and passages adjacent to Upper Egypt.

After security forces killed three Junoud al-Khilafa elements during an August 8th raid on a mountainous area in Qena province used by the group as a training camp, the ministry drew up a plan to step up combing operations in the area.

"Three elements stopped two pick-up vehicles on the Dairut-Farafra highway at dawn Sunday and seized one of them," the ministry statement said.

"A security force was dispatched to that road to comb it, and the forces suspected a man hiding behind a hilltop near the highway. When the forces approached him, he opened fire, prompting them to respond," it said.

"When he tried to use an explosives vest in his possession, it detonated, killing him but causing no harm to the forces," it added.

"A machine gun with four rounds of ammunition, 2,750 Egyptian pounds ($155), three mobile phones, a national identification card, a passport" and other items were found in his possession, the ministry said.

According to the ministry, the dead man was an extremist element who had been in hiding, who was known to have had links with extremist leaders in Sinai.

He was identified by the owner of the car that was stolen on the Farafra highway.

In a later statement, the ministry said the security forces had killed the other two militants in a shootout.

Operations target Junoud al-Khilafa

"This operation complements efforts to crack down on Junoud al-Khilafa, which is led by terrorist Amr Saad Abbas, and which is involved in a number of vicious and violent operations," the ministry said.

These include bombings at St. Peter Church in al-Abbasiya, St. George Church in Tanta, St. Mark's Church in Alexandria, and attacks on al-Naqab checkpoint in al-Wadi al-Jadid, a bus carrying Christians en route to the St. Samuel Monastery in al-Menya, and an attempted escape from checkpoint personnel in Esna, Luxor, in which an officer was killed.

Retired army officer and security expert Brig. Gen. Khaled Okasha noted that the security forces did not stop their campaign after the first gunman was killed, but insisted on pursuing the other two elements and dealing with them.

"Successive raids on mountainous areas in Upper Egypt are prompting the terrorists to escape using any means available from those areas; something that may enable the security forces to identify and track them," he told Al-Mashareq.

"These operations continue to target Junoud al-Khilafa elements who are hiding in mountainous areas, reflecting the resolve of Egypt’s political leaders to put an end to terrorism, so the country can enjoy security and stability," he added.