Staff report: CAIRO, July 30, 2018 - Defence Minister General Mohamed Zaki inspected Monday the security forces stationed in North Sinai, the spokesman for the Armed Forces said on his official Facebook page Monday. These forces, he added, are tasked with implementing the minute plans for encircling, tightening the grip on and eradicating takfiri elements in areas of combatting terrorist activity under the Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018. The defence minister started his inspection tour at Arish Airport where he reviewed the preparedness and combat capabilities of the forces that secure the facility, the news agency said. Gen Zaki also reviewed the administrative and living conditions of troop elements taking part in security checkpoints, he said, adding that the defence minister joined some physical and sports activities and hailed the high morale and combat spirit of the troops. Gen Zaki also inspected the North Sinai Permanent Operations Centre to follow up the progress achieved so far in the round-the-clock military operations to combat terrorism. At the start of a meeting with the troops securing North Sinai, the defence minister called a minute of silence in homage to the martyrs of the Armed Forces and Police. He also conveyed to them the appreciation of President Sisi and the Egyptian people for their heroic acts in Sinai that contributed to uprooting terrorism and gradually restoring life back to normal in northern and central Sinai, he said. Minister Zaki also lauded the coordination between the Armed Forces and police in fighting terrorism.
