Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Egypt has reported sending special operations forces into
the turbulent Sinai Peninsula, regarded by Israel as a launching pad for
rocket strikes.

The Egyptian Interior Ministry said at least 200 officers would be
deployed in northern Sinai in wake of the latest rocket attacks on
Isarel.

On April 7, the ministry said the officers consisted of special
operations specialists assigned to enhance security from the provincial capital of El Arish to the border with the Gaza Strip.

The first 50 officers arrived in Sinai around April 2. Another 150 were expected to join by the middle of the month.

Sinai commander Gen. Saleh Al Masri said the deployment was meant to protect major infrastructure. Al Masri said Israel, in a revision of the 1979 treaty, has allowed the stationing of seven combat battalions in eastern Sinai.

The deployment of SOF units has not halted insurgency strikes in Sinai. On April 9, the Arab Gas Pipeline was again bombed near El Arish, the 14th attack since February 2011. No group claimed responsibility.

Officials have acknowledged increasing lawlessness in Sinai.

In April, Egyptian Prime Minister Kamal Ganzouri said at least 10 million illegal
weapons, including heavy machine guns, rocket launchers and mortars, were
smuggled from Libya and Sudan into Egypt since February 2011.

  Arab Gas Pipeline, but pipeline suffers 14th strike since 2011, Egypt sends elite troops to Sinai, El Arish, Gaza Strip, Gen. Saleh Al Masri, Kamal Ganzouri, rocket strikes from Sinai