U.S. may pull lightly-armed peacekeepers out of Egypt as jihadist presence grows

U.S. may pull lightly-armed peacekeepers out of Egypt as jihadist presence grows

Special to WorldTribune.com The United States is considering pulling its force of lightly-armed peacekeepers in Egypt, fearing they could become easy targets for Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) and other jihadists who have a large presence in northern Sinai. The Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) have been present in the Sinai since Egypt’s […]

Top ISIL leader in Sinai dies in shootout with Egyptian forces

Top ISIL leader in Sinai dies in shootout with Egyptian forces

Special to WorldTribune.com Egyptian security forces killed a top leader of the affiliate of Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) during a shootout in North Sinai on Aug. 1. An Egyptian army spokesman said Selim Suleiman al-Haram, identified as a leader of the terrorist group Sinai Province, was asked to turn himself in by […]

In wake of Iran deal, Saudi Arabia and Egypt sign ‘Cairo Declaration’ for joint Arab military force

In wake of Iran deal, Saudi Arabia and Egypt sign ‘Cairo Declaration’ for joint Arab military force

Special to WorldTribune.com On the heels of the Iran nuclear agreement, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have signed a pact to boost military and economic ties and also will collaborate on a joint Arab military force. Egyptian President Abdul Fatah Sisi and Saudi Defense Minister and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman met on July 30 […]

Egypt takes delivery of 8 F-16s as U.S. ties improve

Egypt takes delivery of 8 F-16s as U.S. ties improve

Special to WorldTribune.com Egypt will take delivery of eight F-16 fighter jets from the United States as part of a $1.3 billion military package. The U.S. embassy in Cairo said on July 30 the F-16s would be delivered by July 31. U.S. President Barack Obama authorized delivery of the jets after lifting a block on […]

Egypt’s banking system gets upgraded to ‘stable’ by Moody’s

Egypt’s banking system gets upgraded to ‘stable’ by Moody’s

Special to WorldTribune.com Egypt’s banking system has been upgraded from negative to stable by Moody’s Investors Service. The credit rating agency said on July 15 that the operating conditions for Cairo’s banking sector will improve amid accelerated growth and economic reforms instituted by President Abdul Fatah Sisi’s government. Moody’s expects Egypt’s economy to expand by […]

Israel: Hamas aided terror rampage in Israel by ISIL affiliate

Israel: Hamas aided terror rampage in Israel by ISIL affiliate

Special to WorldTribune.com Hamas provided support to Islamic State of Iraq Levant (ISIL) affiliates that launched multiple attacks on Egyptian security forces on July 1, according to the officer who directs Israeli government activities in the Palestinian territories. Maj.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai told Al Jazeera that Israeli intelligence shows Hamas supplied weapons and logistics to Sinai […]

Egypt on ‘war’ footing, launches air strikes on ISIL branch in Sinai

Egypt on ‘war’ footing, launches air strikes on ISIL branch in Sinai

Special to WorldTribune.com Egyptian warplanes conducted air strikes on affiliates of Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) in North Sinai on July 2. Security sources reported that 23 Sinai-based insurgents affiliated with ISIL were killed in the strikes. The sources said the jihadists who were killed had taken part in July 1 attacks in […]

ISIL, Brotherhood suspected in car bomb attack that killed Egypt’s top prosecutor

ISIL, Brotherhood suspected in car bomb attack that killed Egypt’s top prosecutor

Special to WorldTribune.com Egypt’s chief prosecutor, who had handed down death sentences to hundreds of supporters of Mohammed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood, was killed in a car bomb attack in Cairo on June 29. Officials said Hisham Barakat, 64, died of injuries sustained when a parked car was remotely detonated as the prosecutor’s motorcade […]

Putin vows to save Syria from ‘tragic’ fate of U.S.-supported Iraq

Putin vows to save Syria from ‘tragic’ fate of U.S.-supported Iraq

Special to WorldTribune.com Russian President Vladimir Putin said U.S. President Barack Obama’s strategy to counter Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) in Iraq has been “lamentable” and resulted in “tragic” consequences. “The United States supports Iraq, supports … the army. With two or three strikes ISIL has captured so many arms … (that) now […]