SHEIKH ZUWEID, Egypt — The despair inflicted upon Sinai's residents is rising at a time when the Egyptian government is declaring that it has made gains in its daily fight against terrorism. Residents are complaining of an increase in dangerous abuses and violations of their rights.
Major military operations were launched in the Sinai on Aug. 7, 2013, a month after the ouster of Mohammed Morsi, and have been continuing ever since. Combat troops from the Egyptian army, heavy military vehicles and helicopters are participating in these operations, which allowed the army to enter the Sinai for the first time since the signing of the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel in 1979. While this agreement prevents the entry of these forces and heavy vehicles into the Sinai, accommodations between the Egyptians and Israelis allow the suspension of the military stipulations of the agreement until terrorism is eradicated.
