Egypt's Al-Sisi Rallies His Troops in Sinai After ISIS Attacks

President al-Sisi (C) shaking hands with a member of the 
security forces during a visit to the Sinai Peninsula 
-July 4, 2015 (AFP Photo/Mohamed Abdelmoaty)

Egypt's president said Saturday the situation in the restive Sinai Peninsula, where dozens of soldiers, jihadists and civilians have been killed this week in yet more violence, is "totally stable".

Former army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was speaking during an unannounced visit to the Sinai, dressed once more in military fatigues, to rally troops following a wave of attacks there by Islamic State group jihadists.

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The army, police and even officials have regularly come under fire, not only in the Sinai but also in Cairo since then army chief Sisi ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi two years ago.

The jihadists say they are acting in response to the bloody repression launched by the authorities after Morsi's overthrow, which has seen at least 1,400 people killed and thousands more jailed.

Al-sisi meets with more members of the Security Force

Most of the attacks on the security forces are claimed by a group calling itself the "Sinai Province".

Formerly known as Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, it changed its name when it pledged allegiance to IS last November.

In remarks broadcast on television, Sisi said: "To say that everything is under control is not enough. The situation is totally stable."

He was speaking from an army base at an undisclosed location in the Sinai, where he was also shown inspecting captured weapons.

President al-Sisi addressing troops during a visit to the 
Sinai Peninsula following a wave of deadly attacks on 
armed forces by Islamic State jihadists - July 4, 2015.
(AFP Photo/Mohamed Abdelmoaty)

The army has said 17 soldiers and 100 militants were killed on Wednesday, but medical and security officials said the death toll was at least 70 people -- mostly soldiers -- as well as dozens of jihadists.

- 'Still recovering the bodies'

"I have come to salute the heroes of the armed forces and to express to them my recognition," Sisi was quoted by the army's spokesman as saying.

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