Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Anger is building in Egypt’s government at being treated with hostility by its traditional ally in Washington while coping with a drumbeat of terror incidents targeting security forces in Sinai and foreign business interests here.

Asked on March 9 about the shifting U.S. policy in the region, Egyptian President Abdul Fatah Sisi responded: “Difficult question.” After a long silence, he added: ““The suspending of U.S. equipment and arms was an indicator for the public that the United States is not standing by the Egyptians.”

[Related: Egypt deploys long-delayed U.S. Apaches for major strikes on ISIL strongholds, Feb. 8]

Although the Obama administration recently agreed to provide the Egyptian Air Force with Apache attack helicopters, it has blocked most military purchases since Muslim Brotherhood Leader Mohammed Morsi was overthown by Sisi in a coup that met with widespread popular support in Egypt.

Currently Washington is balking at the shipment of tanks, spare parts and other weapons that the army desperately needs in its war against ISIL.

On Monday, terror attacks in Alexandria targeted an elementary school and three businesses including two banks.

Security analyst Janet Basurto attributed some of the attacks to the desire to inhibit foreign investments in Egypt as well as punish police forces.

In the past weeks, several cities in Egypt have been rocked by similar attacks, according to EgyptianStreets.com.

KFC restaurants were hit in Cairo and Menoufiya where a teenager was burned alive in an attack. A bank bombing in Mahalla killed three. Other attacks in Alexandria targeted a French supermarket and a mall.

In the Sinai, Egyptian forces have been cracking down on Ansar Beit Maqdis insurgents which have links with Islamic State of Iraq and Levant. They have also been battling jihadists in Libya, especially after the mass beheadings of 21 Coptic Christians.

  Egypt’s Sisi faces growing pressure from jihadists, Obama administration, WorldTribune.com