Egyptian forces storm homes in north Sinai
Published today (updated) 21/05/2013 17:14
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=597749

EL-ARISH, Egypt (Ma'an) -- Egyptian troops on Tuesday stormed homes and
deserted buildings in Sinai's Sheikh Zuweid, witnesses said, as the search
for seven kidnapped Egyptian officers continued.

Three warplanes hovered over the coastal city as soldiers raided homes and
buildings used by Jihadists, witnesses told Ma'an.

Meanwhile, North Sinai governor Abdul-Fattah Jarjour summoned Bedouin chiefs
from all tribes in the district for an emergency meeting to discuss how
sheikhs can cooperate with Egypt's military campaign to free the hostages.

On Thursday, gunmen kidnapped seven soldiers and police officers in an
ambush on two minibuses in Wadi al-Akhbar, between Sheikh Zuweid and
el-Arish.

A video posted on YouTube on Sunday appeared to show the seven hostages,
blindfolded and with their hands on their heads, identifying themselves.

One of them is prodded by what appears to be a rifle held by an abductor
off-screen before another hostage says the kidnappers want the release of
detained Bedouin "political activists".

He mentioned by name a Bedouin militant sentenced to death after a 2011
attack on a police station in el-Arish in which 16 Egyptian officers were
killed.

"We hope that you, president, quickly release the political activists from
Sinai as soon as possible because we can no longer stand the torture," said
one hostage.

A large plane carrying soldiers and heavy military equipment landed at
el-Arish airport Sunday night in preparation for an operation to rescue the
officers from "terrorist groups," security sources said.

Egypt's military has also called in a special forces unit as Cairo refuses
to negotiate with the kidnappers.