Cairo, Egypt – As part of ongoing efforts to protect Egyptian national security and enhance stability within the country, the Egyptian Armed Forces announced that law enforcement forces, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, conducted a large-scale security campaign within the Southern Military Zone. The campaign targeted several criminal hotspots involved in illicit activities. These operations are part of the state’s strategy to combat organized crime and eliminate the sources of illegal activities that threaten security and stability. These activities include drug and arms trafficking, illegal gold mining, and illegal immigration.
Seizure of elements and tools of organized crime
According to the official statement, the campaign resulted in the arrest of several individuals involved in these illegal activities, including 87 Egyptians and 136 foreigners. Authorities also seized 14 vehicles, wireless communication devices, sums of money in local and foreign currencies, quantities of unlicensed weapons and ammunition, and equipment used in illegal mining. Additionally, individuals who had entered the country illegally without proper residency documents were apprehended. All those arrested, along with the seized items, were referred to the competent judicial authorities for legal proceedings in accordance with applicable constitutional and legal frameworks.
Humane treatment of infiltrators
In a related development, the statement indicated that a number of individuals who had entered the country illegally surrendered to security checkpoints immediately after the start of the campaign. Accordingly, the necessary procedures were taken, and they were deported to their countries of origin, with due regard for humanitarian considerations and in accordance with international standards.
Continued security operations
The Armed Forces affirmed that law enforcement forces are continuing their intensive field operations to clear border areas of criminal elements and pursue outlaws. This comes within the framework of comprehensive efforts to secure the borders and enhance internal security. The statement emphasized that the Egyptian state retains all necessary options to address any threats to its national security. The statement also affirmed the state’s ability to protect its territory and the well-being of its people under all circumstances.
