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In Egypt's Sinai Desert, Islamic Militants Gaining New Foothold

(Washington Post) Ernesto Londono - Vast areas of Egypt's Sinai desert have descended into lawlessness in recent months, providing fertile ground for small cells of extremist militants that have quietly established training camps near the Israeli border. The militants include men who have fought in Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as Islamists who were released from prison in Egypt after the 2011 popular revolt. Ibrahim el-Meneey, a powerful Bedouin tribal elder who lives a few miles from the Israeli border, said around 150 fighters set up a training facility about three miles from his home earlier this year. He does not share their goal of creating an Islamic caliphate. For the time being, there is little support for the budding jihadist cells among the members of his tribe, the Sawarka.
2012-07-17 00:00:00
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