Defence barricades in Sinai to be rebuilt

Sources inside the military base of the Multinational Forces and Observers in Sinai, said that soldiers started rebuilding the defence barricades of the base following a break-in by militant protesters from Sinai Bedouins. The Bedouins were angry at the American anti-Islam film in an incident that was the first of its kind since the international force started their work in Sinai, following the signing of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. Sources said that international forces enhanced the guarding towers surrounding the base in addition to rebuilding the barbed wire barricade corrupted by the Bedouins during their break into the base. Calm returned once again to the surroundings of the base, which is the largest in Sinai located in al-Jura region 10km away from the Egypt-Gaza borders, after Egyptian army forces backed by tanks and armoured vehicles succeeded in driving protesters away from the base. The sources added that three soldiers from Columbia were wounded as a result of the exchange of fire Friday night, and an aircraft affiliated to the base then transported them to Israel for treatment. Egyptian security sources said that ten armoured vehicles and tanks were in the surroundings of the base to prevent approach. Armed protesters had broken into an international base in Sinai Friday and exchanged fire with the international forces based inside the camp. The protesters set fire to a guard tower after trespassing barbed wires surrounding the base while others raised a black flag with the slogan “There’s no God but Allah” written on it. A number of Bedouins blocked the main road leading to the base in the al-Jura region east of al-Arish and prevented cars from passing where the protests were happening. They chanted a number of slogans directed at the international forces that affirmed their love for the Prophet. International forces were forced to hold their work and prevent forces and cars from entering and exiting the camp until the end of the protests and opening of the road. Al-Jura is the largest base for international forces in Sinai where 800 American officers and soldiers within the peace-keeping forces stay. The total number from the peace-keeping force, in Sinai is 1400 officers and soldiers from 14 countries.