(AFP File Photo)
Chief of the second field army in Sinai, Major General Ahmed Wasfy, met with a delegation of North Sinai youth of Saturday to discuss the latest developments in the peninsula.
The meeting took place in a hotel in Al-Arish with participation of second army leaders and representatives of Sinai youth groups. Wasfy called on Sinai youth to support the armed forces to combat terrorism, praising their national and historic role in supporting the army.
They asked Wasfy to release information on those accused of killing 16 soldiers in Rafah last year and he promised to release information on the assailants soon.
Wasfy said the armed forces carry out operations in Sinai very cautiously to avoid the injury of any civilian. He promised to reveal information about the outcomes of military operations against terrorism in Sinai.
During the meeting the youth demanded an end to some security practices that occurred in the past like random arrests. They also demanded the retrial of several detainees who were subjected to arbitrary arrest.
Wasfy agreed to open Sinai military hospitals for civilians two days a week. The hospital will treat the people of Sinai and refer critical conditions to military hospitals in Cairo.
Sinai has experienced violence since 30 June. Assailants carried continuous attacks against security installations and personnel claiming at least 30 lives.
Additional reporting by Nasser Al-Azzazy
