Parliament approved on Tuesday the extension of the state of emergency in North Sinai for an additional three months, one day after a delegation of parliament members met with Minister of Defence Sedki Sobhi.
The session included opinions of parliament members who addressed their concern about the status of Sinai, as reported by state media. MP Hossam Al-Refai said there are problems inside North Sinai such as shortage of goods and gas, detention, and “collateral damage kills” against people of Sinai.
Earlier on Monday, Sobhi met with parliament members to discuss the country’s military issues. He addressed the military’s efforts in securing the country after the military ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.
North Sinai has been under a state of emergency since the term of interim president Adly Mansour, who came into office following Morsi. The state of emergency was last extended in January 2016.
Since August 2013, clashes between the Armed Forces and Islamic State-affiliated militants in North Sinai have increased.
