EL-ARISH, Egypt — Amid various media statements by Egypt's opposing religious and military forces about the feasibility of the economic conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, the conference's security was a success, coming amid suspicions that terrorist organizations would attempt to thwart the participation of 90 Arab and foreign countries in support of Egypt's faltering economy.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's military regime managed, once again, to thwart threats from its opponents, be they the Muslim Brotherhood, which explicitly called for the need to undermine the conference, or Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis terrorist group. The latter’s sporadic targets aim at destabilizing the regime that opposes its religious expansion, described by the majority of the Egyptian people as extremist.

A researcher specializing in the affairs of the Sinai Peninsula and the armed groups said, on condition of anonymity, that the holding of the conference without any security obstacles or terrorist operations is a winning card that supports Sisi globally.

The researcher further told Al-Monitor: “Sisi had planned to hold the conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, one of the cities of the Sinai Peninsula, which is witnessing violent terrorist attacks carried out by the most powerful terrorist organizations worldwide. It was a smart move aimed at showing the world that he can eliminate terrorism despite all the threats. It looked as if he was saying that if you do not support my policy, the equation will change.”