Egypt sends military reinforcements to Sinai
Military reinforcements sent to Sinai Peninsula as speculation grows that
force could be used to rescue seven kidnapped Egyptian soldiers
Ahram Online, Monday 20 May 2013
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/71864/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt-sends-military-reinforcements-to-Sinai.aspx

Egypt's army sent dozens of armoured vehicles and personnel carriers across
the Suez Canal into North Sinai early on Monday, a security official has
told Al-Ahram Arabic news website.

The move comes as speculation grows that force could be used to rescue seven
Egyptian soldiers kidnapped last week.

Seven Egyptian security personnel, including one member of the armed forces,
four port security officers, and two state security officers, have been held
by unidentified kidnappers in the Sinai Peninsula since Thursday.

A security source said the kidnappers have demanded the release of Islamist
militants detained for almost two years.

The militants, who allegedly belong to Tawhid wal-Jihad, were convicted of
killing five security officers and one civilian during attacks in June/July
2011 on an Al-Arish city police station and a North Sinai branch of the Bank
of Alexandria. Twenty-five individuals were charged in the case.

Early on Monday, unidentified gunmen stormed an Egyptian security base in
the Sinai Peninsula and exchanged gunfire with forces inside the base before
retreating, security sources told Reuters.

The gunmen attacked the base in the Al-Ahrash area in North Sinai from a
truck and fired automatic weapons. The attack did not result in any
casualties.