Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Islamists backed by Gulf Arab sheiks have formed a militia
to fight the Egyptian military.

An Islamist group believed linked to Al Qaida has announced that it
would launch a campaign against Egypt’s military. The group, Ansar Al
Shariah, said it would begin training fighters and procuring weapons to
convert Egypt into an Islamic state.

“We will work to deter the attackers, preserve the religion and empower the Islamic law of the Lord,” Ansar said.

In a statement on July 5, Ansar said it would protect Egypt from a war declared against Islam. The statement, first reported by the U.S.-based SITE
Monitoring group, was posted on an online forum by insurgency groups that operate in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.

Ansar was believed to have maintained a presence in Sinai and claimed responsibility for attacks in the peninsula. The group cited the military
coup against Morsi and the decision to close Brotherhood and other television channels.

“This is a war declared against Islam in Egypt,” Ansar said.

Islamists have already been attacking Sinai and Egyptian cities on the
African mainland. In Sinai alone, at least six Egyptian security officers
and soldiers have been killed since July 5.

“A full military operation was expected in Sinai within hours, following
four other attacks on security checkpoints in the peninsula earlier on
Sunday [July 7],” Egypt’s official Al Ahram daily said.

  Ansar Al Sharia, Group with Al Qaida ties forms militia to fight Egyptian Army, Islamic law, Mohammed Morsi