Rafah--An Egyptian policeman has been injured following clashes with a group of Bedouins who were trying to smuggle a number of Africans across the Egyptian border to Israel, security sources said. A security source told Al-Masry Al-Youm that Magdy Abdel Ghany, 22, received minor injuries from the clash, which took place late Tuesday night south of the Rafah border crossing. Ghany's attackers managed to flee, according to the source. At least four African immigrants were killed on Saturday in clashes with smugglers in the Egyptian city of Rafah. Egypt has been complaining of a rising tide of African migrants crossing its borders to Israel, assisted by Bedouin gangs. Israel says 20,000 African immigrants have made it into Israel through Egypt since 2007. International organizations accuse Egypt of using excessive force when countering illegal migration by Africans to Israel. Egypt has defended its approach as a means of protecting its sovereignty and national security. Already this year Egyptian security forces have killed 23 African immigrants on route to Israel; in 2009 the number was 19. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
