Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula has become the battleground of rival Islamist militias.

Egyptian security sources said the Al Qaida-aligned revolt in Sinai has become divided into rival militias. They said the militias have been competing for control over supply and smuggling routes in the northeastern portion of the peninsula.

“There are clear signs that the remaining terrorists have been fighting each other for control,” a source said.

On Jan. 13, at least five suspected Islamist fighters were killed in a battle in Rafah, the divided city along the border with the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. The sources said a truckload of gunmen entered southern Rafah and opened fire on what was believed to have been an Islamist militia cell.

“Within minutes of the attack, the bodies of the dead and those injured were taken away,” the source said. “The incident is being investigated.”

The sources said Al Qaida-aligned fighters have sought refuge in Rafah amid the Egyptian Army campaign. They said the fighters have been opposed by recently-established neighborhood civil guards in the city.

“There are indications that extremists were killed by their leaders or
by parents whose children were killed by the blasphemers,” Egypt’s official
Middle East News Agency said.

The Army has succeeded in reducing insurgency operations through the
recruitment of Bedouin tribes in Sinai. The sources said most of the 31
major tribes have agreed to help Cairo quell the revolt through blocking
recruitment as well as refusing haven to Al Qaida militias.

On Jan. 13, the tribes, drawn by a pledge to develop the Sinai, also
began surrendering weapons linked to the Islamist fighters. The sources said
more than 500 weapons, including rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and
large quantities of ammunition were transferred to the Army.

  Bedouin tribes, Egyptian Army, Gaza Strip, Rafah, Rival Islamist militias battling for control of Sinai smuggling routes