Egypt fears jihadi car bomb attacks in Sinai

Security officials in Cairo say forces to operate in Sinai through Eid al-Adha holiday in light of intel indicating terrorists may use stolen government cars to attack tourist hubs

Roi Kais|Published: 10.25.12 , 15:02

Global Jihad terrorists are planning to carry out car bomb attacks on tourists and resorts in the Sinai Peninsula, security officials in Cairo said.

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An article published Thursday by the London-based Arabic newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat quoted the Egyptian security officials as saying that in light of recently-obtained intelligence information security forces will continue operating in Sinai through the Eid al-Adha holiday, which begins Friday.

According to the sources, the intelligence information indicates that the jihadi terrorists may use government vehicles they have stolen to carry out the attacks.

"A number of cars have been stolen recently. One of them belongs to the governor of the north Sinai district, and another belongs to the district's national security advisor," one of the security officials said.

The report further said that Cairo has instructed security forces to raise their alert level during the holiday, fearing the Global Jihad terrorists will try to launch attacks, particularly in tourist hubs.

Meanwhile, the London-based Al-Hayat newspaper reported that security officials in Egypt are investigating attempts by Global Jihad terrorists to set up armed cells.

It was further reported that on Wednesday special forces clashed with a "terrorist" in Cairo's Nasr neighborhood. The man, who was carrying automatic weapons and ammunition, was killed. According to the reports, the weapons belonged to one of the terror cells.