President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi praised the efforts of the Ministry of Interior in countering extremism in the latest period, according to the Egyptian presidency.
During a meeting with Minister of Interior Magdy Abdel Ghaffar, Al-Sisi was briefed on the latest security updates in the country, a statement by the presidency said, adding that the president asserted that the ministry has to emphasise its role into monitoring markets and prices “to limit the pressures of the citizens.”
Meanwhile, the ministry announced on Saturday a widespread reshuffling of the ministry, extending to promotions, transfers, and dismissals of various police chiefs and officers.
Assistant Interior Minister Magdi Ghoneim said during a press conference that a total of 12,000 police officers would be facing transfers, with an additional 2,864 police officers being promoted to the rank of major.
Within the police, 7,285 officers of different ranks were promoted.
Amid the current security situation and the wave of terrorism and extremism the country is facing, the situation needs an unusual plan to counter the challenges, a statement from the ministry added.
Also, the ministry said that a new department was constructed with three missions: to counter narcotics dealing, unlicensed weapons, and illegal immigration.
The reshuffle also witnessed the hiring of new security directors in 18 governorates, including North Sinai and South Sinai
In North Sinai, the new security director is General Reda Swilliam, a veteran police officer and former high-ranking investigation bureau officer in the area during the period of 2005-2008. In South Sinai, General Sabry Al-Gamal was appointed as the new security director, another police officer with a background from the investigation bureau in South Sinai.
The period from 2004 to 2008 witnessed heavy clashes between militants and security forces.
On 7 October 2004, three bombs ripped through tourist hotels in the Sinai Peninsula, killing 34 and injuring 171. One of the bombs went off in Taba, which claimed the lives of 31 and caused ten floors of the hotel to collapse. A majority of the victims were Egyptian. Dahab, also in Sinai, was struck by three bombs on 24 April 2006, killing at least 23 people. Again, a majority of the victims were Egyptian.
This period also witnessed harsh reactions from the security apparatus against Sinai civilians, according to many residents in the peninsula.
