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Could Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula Become the Next Al-Qaeda Stronghold?

Egyptian army and intelligence forces have detained some suspected militants in the Sinai region today, and will continue on the hunt for Al Qaeda cells that have infiltrated the peninsula in the aftermath of the Egyptian revolution, according to debkafile. While that is good news for terror-fighting worldwide, could it point to a larger problem brewing in a volatile Sinai region?

Could Egypts Sinai Peninsula Become the Next Al Qaeda Stronghold?

Members of Army of Islam

The incursion confirms CNN reports over the weekend that high level sources in the Egyptian military were preparing an operation into the rugged Sinai region to root out Al Qaeda cells.

As the Sinai connects Egypt to both Israel and the Gaza Strip, its location is of obvious strategic value for planning and conducting terrorist attacks against Israel. A major natural gas pipeline running through the Sinai was bombed for the fifth time this year, and Egyptian authorities believe an Al Qaeda-affiliated group is responsible.

The Egyptian incursion could be just the first step in a long campaign to root out the growing extremist presence infiltrating Egypt and its environs, with major consequences for the security of Israel and its neighbors hanging in the balance.

Could Egypts Sinai Peninsula Become the Next Al Qaeda Stronghold?Soon after the Egyptian forces entered the Sinai on their anti-terrorism mission MOnday, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu gave a public warning that Egypt risks losing control of the growing terrorist presence in the peninsula. Ha’aretz quoted the Israel PM saying Egypt’s current difficulties projecting sovereignty and the rule of law have created an environment in which:

“International terror organizations are stirring in Sinai and their presence is increasing due to Sinai’s connection to Gaza.”

While the extent and role of a possible Al Qaeda presence in the Sinai remains uncertain, press reports point to a number of troubling connections over the years. For example, there have been major terrorist operations conducted there in the past, including bombing attacks on the northern Sinai resort of Sharm El Sheikh that killed 90 people in 2005.

In addition, Army of Islam, an Al Qaeda-associated terrorist group, is known to operate in the Sinai. The group is a likely suspect in the natural gas pipeline attacks this past year, and it previously planned to carry out a series of kidnapping operations against Israelis in the Sinai resort areas. In response, the Israelis killed the leader of the Army of Islam in Gaza with an aerial strike last November.

Given the nearby Israeli military presence and current Egyptian willingness to engage terrorists, it would seem only a worst-case scenario that a post-Mubarak Sinai peninsula could one day turn into a safe haven for Al Qaeda and assorted militants — a sort of “Waziristan of the Mediterranean,“ or ”Yemen on the Suez.” The Sinai shares a border with Israel as well as the Gaza Strip, which means the Israel Defense Forces will keep a close eye on events there and likely take action if necessary to prevent an entrenched AQ presence.

But as we have seen in other parts of the world — Northwest Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, and small areas of the Philippines and Thailand — jihadist terror groups do not need large numbers or the support of a nation state to survive and plot successful terrorist attacks.

Could Egypts Sinai Peninsula Become the Next Al Qaeda Stronghold?

Sinai Mountains

The Sinai is vast and rugged. Only a couple thousand Egyptian troops have been assigned to keep order and protect the natural gas pipeline in the aftermath of the revolution that deposed Mubarak. There are reports that terrorists have already retreated to small camps in the mountains of the mid-Sinai region, which can reach heights of over 8,000 feet.

Rooting out these terrorists would be a very difficult mission for Egyptian forces without air power. On top of that, there is a population of a few hundred thousand bedouins roaming the peninsula, who could give both aid and concealment to militant groups.  According to some reports, the bedouins are already active participants in the weapons transfers across the Sinai intended to arm Gaza to the teeth.

Could Egypts Sinai Peninsula Become the Next Al Qaeda Stronghold?

Ayman al-Zawahiri

Bin Laden’s successor and the current head of Al Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, has certainly taken note of the opening for Al Qaeda created by the Arab Spring in Egypt and its environs. In a video released on the internet yesterday, Zawahiri made the following appeal to Jihadists around the globe, as posted on Fox News:

“In Tunisia and Egypt, opportunities for preaching have been opened and only God knows until when these opportunities will last,” he said. “Therefore, the Muslims and the mujahedeen should benefit and take advantage of them to reveal the truth.”

Whether Egypt continues its efforts to root our terrorists in the Sinai or not, the U.S. and Israel will have to keep a close eye on the peninsula, lest it join an infamous list of previously unremarkable spots that now harbor jihadists with global ambitions. Stability on the Sinai peninsula just may be the canary in a coal mine for Egypt’s security, democratic aspirations, and future relations with the state of Israel.

Comments (65)

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  • Fina Biscotti
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:19pm

    ******

    Thanks to Barack HUSSEIN Obama – the HATER of ISRAEL -

    Egypt will become a stronghold for al-Qaeda – as intended –

    when he demanded of President Mubarak to allow THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD to be in attendance for his speech in Cairo, Egypt – when addressing the Arab and Muslim world – early on in his acornseiunbppvoterigged presidency – in 2009 -

    regardless of the fact that The Muslim Brotherhood had been banned from Egypt for decades for their vicious acts of TERRORISM!!!

    Report Post »  
  • Xpat48
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:16pm

    Hey, that’s a great idea. Get as close as you can to Israel . Now, get as many as you can there.

    The closer you are to Israel, the easier it will be for Israel to kill more of you “Rag-Heads.”

    Report Post » Xpat48  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 5:54am

      @XPAT48 That’s exactly how I feel about it. In fact, after 9/11, Israel wanted to start taking them out and Bush wouldn’t let them. Bush was a muslim lover. He thought Islam was one of the greatest religions of the world. Bush also went on record as saying that he thought one could get to heaven so long as one was a good person, without Jesus Christ. But anyway…here is an interesting link concerning the United States and Egypt. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Jhx_2TqffE

      Report Post »  
  • SS912er
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:03pm

    If they were so strong in there faith and feel their cause was worthy, they would show thier face. Flippin cowards.

    Report Post » SS912er  
    • SamIamTwo
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 1:09pm

      Prob one of them is the local barber and the other serves coffee at a tourist hotel.

      Report Post » SamIamTwo  
  • lamarlamar
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 8:49pm

    So, let me see here, the Canal? Egyptian complacency? Gas pipelines? I see…… day glow sand and glass, and bleached bones in Moe’s descendants future! When Moe ran across the middle east and northern africa, all his victims were just poor desert rag heads eating camel dung, things may be a little different now!!!! What athiest can’t except is that G_d chose the Jews, and not being on their side is a sure ticket to hell. I’m not a Jew, nor am I a Fool. A choice is coming whether we like it or not. We will be required to choose what we believe in and who we believe in. The war will be a religious battle, with the Fools and Dung Eaters as grist. One better get right with their maker and prepare now. I remember and old Asian saying, “We must choose which side of the road to walk on, He who walks down the middle, gets squished!!!!” There is always easy walking on the road. Those who cannot make the hard decision as to what they believe will be crushed on the road of life! Prepare and Choose!

    Report Post »  
  • OverFiend
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 8:48pm

    I hope it does . Then maybe Israel will do what we can’nt . WIPE THEM OUT!!

    Report Post » OverFiend  
    • euragone
      Posted on August 15, 2011 at 8:58pm

      I’m tired of Muslim Extremists… and the Clerics preaching hate .. Israel should just wipe them off the face of the planet…Nuke them in the dark, shoot them when they glow!

      Report Post » euragone  
    • Mateytwo Barreett
      Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:30pm

      @ Euragone
      Sounds like we’re hiding behindour little br o thhhh…….
      I get it!!!!!

      Report Post » Mateytwo Barreett  
    • EddieGin
      Posted on August 15, 2011 at 9:34pm

      Not sure how close you follow the IDF, but it’s not the same as in 1967. They had a Very,very very hard time with some Hamas rag-heads a few years ago. Today’s IDF are more concern with going to night clubs and embracing the Gay scene in Tel Aviv. They used to be TOP-Notch but NO more.

      Report Post » EddieGin  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 8:31pm

    Thanks obama!

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
  • Ruler4You
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 8:27pm

    “COULD” it become the next Al Qaeda stronghold? That implies that today it isn‘t a ’stronghold’, how can you be sure it isn’t already an influential part of Al Qaeda? How much ‘influence’ equals a “stronghold”?

    Report Post » Ruler4You  
    • MidWestMom
      Posted on August 15, 2011 at 8:28pm

      well said

      Report Post »  
    • metalurgy
      Posted on August 15, 2011 at 8:43pm

      Good questions.

      Then again who gives a rip. Either Israel or USA can remake them into Fukoshima the sequel in minutes. Why do we worry about these 17th century throwbacks. Bin Laden is wearing cement goloshes (really he is being waterboarded in some dank prison somewhere having all sorts of unmentionable indignaties done to him…I hope) so as far as I’m concerned, job well done. Let’s call it victory, bring the troops home, pull all our money and technology out of the middle east and see how well they get along pulling that oil out of the ground with camel power. Muslims have so many sects that hate each other. I say we leave and let them kill eachother off.

      Let the Chicoms and Ruskies fight over them and over extend themselves. I’m tired of the USA being the world police.

      Say adios with a warning that if you touch Isreal, we will touch you with lots of daisy cutters. Anyone left will be taken and locked in a gymnasium with no food or water. We will come back six months later and strangle the survivors.

      I am open to any other reasonble exit strategy.

      Report Post » metalurgy  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 3:16pm

      You nailed it. It’s the Muslim Brotherhood takeover curtesy of Hilary and Obama and the lives of our men and women.

      Report Post »  
  • tranymike
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 8:25pm

    I spent 6 months in Sinai and I love to go down to Sharm El Sheikh they had a bar that had US car plates all over the wall I taught that was so cool to see a PA plate half way around the world. They also had US music playing all the time I just loved that bar. but the better part was that I got to see the burning bush and I climbed to the top of mount Sinai. if you didn’t know there’s a church up on the top and I have no clue how they got them big a&& blocks up there. I remember going to the dump and kids would run up to truck to see what we were dumping we would bring them food that no one wanted to eat or the cook wouldn‘t cook I still remember a little girl she was about 5 or 6 and she wouldn’t come up to the truck no matter what so I would toss her my lunch and she would smile but would not pick it up intel we started to drive off. I have a tattoo on my finger of a cross (I got being a stupid kid) but over there people would see it and treat me better then my friends it got me into places all the time witch you would think it worked the other way but the people are all not evil. people came there from all over the world it had hotels, stores, cabs, and bars it was just a little Moslem/ Christian town in the middle if rock and sand on the red sea and now the nut job mooslims are going to screw it all up good job obama can’t blame this one on bush. Ron Paul is right we need to just walk away its like opening a shopping mall next to the projects see how long that las

    Report Post » tranymike  
  • Tankertony
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 8:01pm

    “Where the good people are not strong, evil prevails.”
    -Denise Prager-

    Report Post » Tankertony  
  • endgamer
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 7:40pm

    Somebody has told Glenn to start beating the war drums!

    Report Post » endgamer  
  • jmiller_42
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 7:37pm

    Just another war for Democrats and NeoCon Republicans to get into. More debt and death here we come. Those who live by the sword die by the sword.

    Report Post » jmiller_42  
  • NOBALONEY
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 7:23pm

    An official from the Egtptian secular Wafd Party, has stated that The Muslin brotherhood, and the Military have been beating them down. President Obama says, Democracy. Reality says, Theocracy.

    Report Post » NOBALONEY  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on August 15, 2011 at 8:46pm

      Obama and Hilary knew what they were doing. Helping the muslim brotherhood take down the Egyptian friend to the US. Last heard they wanted to behead him and his sons. Isn’t that wonderful? And the muslim brotherhood reigns here. Just think, there are 27 or 8 of these muslim organizations here. Swell bunch they are. But hey.. we have one running the country. Diversity…yes…sweet diversity.

      Report Post »  
  • Steve
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 7:17pm

    The pieces are being set. Lies. distortion of the truth and theatrics will engulf the media to the point that no one will know the truth. All one has to listen to are the imams that rally support through religion to enhance their political ideology. The destruction of Israel is the end game. Everything else is smoke and mirrors.

    Report Post »  
    • jjoy
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 10:17am

      “Lies. distortion of the truth and theatrics will engulf the media”

      You are a little late on this one Steve… it happened years ago…

      Report Post » jjoy  
  • db321
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 7:11pm

    These Islamic extremist have the Liberal Media on their side – Israel has God on their side. I think our state run media should send over a few women to do some investigating reporting of the Beautiful Islamic Spring.

    Don‘t worry ladies these Rattlesnakes don’t bite – you fools

    Report Post » db321  
  • db321
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 7:06pm

    This story is nuts – this is the Jeffersonian Islamic Democracy that the Media Reported so proudly – these Islamic people in the uprising are Rattlesnakes that don’t bite.

    Report Post » db321  
  • This_Individual
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 7:04pm

    I really don’t give a daggum.

    Report Post »  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 7:03pm

    In the long run , I guess Israel should Not have given Egypt the Sinai back. Since Egypt is going to cancel the Peace Treaty , Israel has every right to reclaim the land , won in the 67 war.

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • pavepaws
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 7:02pm

    Who knew? What happened to the “Arab Spring”? Oh yeah, it was hijacked. Religion of peace indeed. Whoever believed that was foolish.

    Report Post »  
    • An AmericanMom
      Posted on August 15, 2011 at 7:14pm

      but Obama told us it was a “good thing”- ———yeah right!

      Obama would think a cow patty was pudding…..

      Report Post » An AmericanMom  
    • jjoy
      Posted on August 16, 2011 at 10:18am

      no… obama would think a cow patty is a good place to grow mushrooms…

      Report Post » jjoy  
  • Living In NYC
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 6:58pm

    Yep another failure….Barry we can always count you to be on the losing team! Thanks for your support of the other-throw of the prior Egyptian government!

    Nice move!

    Report Post » Living In NYC  
    • mermaid
      Posted on August 15, 2011 at 7:17pm

      The 2 Billion $$$ we sent are being put to good use huh?

      Report Post »  
  • Ancientastronaut
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 6:58pm

    I stand with Israel

    Report Post »  
  • Ron_WA
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 6:55pm

    If Al Qaeda were to establish a base of ops in the Sinai & use it to strike Israel I seriously doubt Israel would trust Egypt to retaliate for them.

    If Israel were to launch a retaliatory strike Egypt would almost certainly take it as an invasion & a violation of the UN peace treaty which would bring the UN & the Multi-national Force Observers into the fray …

    which by default brings the US into it since by treaty we have a US Army battalion of over 700 Soldiers stationed there as part of the MFO at all times. Another mission we need to get out of ….

    Report Post » Ron_WA  
  • quicker
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 6:45pm

    When they have their election and vote the muslim sister Imean brother hood in ,Al Qaeda wil have free reign.God help Israel.But this seems to be what Obama wants.

    Report Post » quicker  
  • heavyduty
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 6:35pm

    The peaceful religion is at it again. Now the bedouins are getting in on the action. Seems to me that if they can’t control that region, then we make it glow in the dark. That way they can’t sneak anywhere. Ron Paul has it wrong about minding our own business. We have to shore up our allies anywhere we can find them. The first thing to do is get this apologist President out of office.

    Report Post »  
    • qpwillie
      Posted on August 15, 2011 at 7:07pm

      I think Al Qaeda is regrouping and strengthening while America has no leader.

      I also agree about Ron Paul in that respect. He doesn’t seem to understand what America has at stake here. He seems to think if we’ll be nice to them, they’ll be nice to us. Very naive.

      Report Post » qpwillie  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 6:31pm

    .
    I thought it already was……

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • Ookspay
    Posted on August 15, 2011 at 6:30pm

    I am sure that BO will be more than happy to send some drones and tanks in to get rid of any bad guys to make it safe.

    Report Post » Ookspay  
    • Stuck_in_CA
      Posted on August 15, 2011 at 6:45pm

      Yeah. Hopefully they will gather in one small village, so it‘ll only take 2 or 3 MOAB’s

      Report Post » Stuck_in_CA  
    • avenger
      Posted on August 15, 2011 at 6:45pm

      I am so tired of this shet! come on Israel nuke these mfkrs…

      Report Post »  
  • jjoy
    Posted on August 16, 2011 at 10:14am

    obama didn’t see it coming… he said the muslim brotherhood would bring Democracy to Egypt…

    Report Post » jjoy  
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