Special to WorldTribune.com

Egypt reports that its crackdown on Sinai Peninsula insurgents, spearheaded by President Abdul Fatah Sisi, has led to the deaths 725 militants.

Meanwhile, Sinai Tribes have formed volunteer groups to aid the Egyptian army in its fight against Islamist militants.

The crackdown began after the Sisi-led military deposed Mohammed Morsi in 2013 and has continued to target insurgents, including those tied to Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, in an effort to prevent any challenge to Sisi’s authority.

The report, released on May 9, said February was the army’s busiest month as 173 militants were killed. That compares to 44 killed in January, the slowest month. Another 1,873 militants were reportedly detained between Oct. 25 and April 30, including a high of 575 arrests in November, according to al-Ahram.

November also saw Egyptian security forces discover and destroy more that 1,000 insurgent safe houses.

The report said over 80,000 weapons and ammunition of various calibers were seized and nearly 600 vehicles were destroyed. Security forces also seized 1,447 motorcycles which had no license plates.

Ansar Beit al-Maqdis militants, linked to Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL), are said to be responsible for most attacks against Egyptian forces in the Sinai Peninsula and a number of bombings in cities across the Suez region.

The Sinai Tribal Federation met on May 10 to discuss options to combat the insurgency which is seen bent on toppling Sisi’s government.

The Federation formed two volunteer groups of mostly youths. One group would aid security forces on intelligence gathering, including smuggling routes of militants. The second group would support the military in its fight against the insurgents.

Sources believe the Tribal Federation agreed to participate in the crackdown after Sinai Province jihadists executed several of the tribes’ top members.

  ISIL brutality prompts Sinai tribes to join Egypt’s offensive against militant Islamists, WorldTribune.com