Human Rights Watch on Tuesday accused both <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/46-suspected-jihadists-killed-in-sinai-clashes-egypt-army-202636">Egyptian security forces and terrorist&nbsp;of committing "war crimes"</a> in their confrontation in the restive North Sinai region.

"While Egyptian military and police forces were responsible for the majority of abuses documented in the report, extremist militants have also committed horrific crimes," the New York-based group said in a 134-page report.

"Some of the abuses carried out by government forces and the militants, which this report documents, are war crimes, and their widespread and systematic nature could amount to crimes against humanity."

HRW compiled the report over two years interviewing more than 50 residents of the Sinai Peninsula, in northeast Egypt, where independent media coverage is effectively banned and a state of emergency has been in force since 2013.

In late 2017, North Sinai was the scene of the deadliest attack in Egypt's modern history when militants killed more than 300 worshippers at a mosque, without any group claiming responsibility.

Islamist militants have kidnapped and tortured scores of residents and also attacked security forces.

Security forces have likewise targeted Sinai residents arresting thousands and forcibly "disappearing" dozens, according to the HRW report.

Children as young as 12 have been detained in routine sweeps eventually being jailed in secret prisons.

Alongside the report, a video was released showing footage of air strikes on residents' homes and extrajudicial killings of suspected jihadists by security forces.

"Why all of this? Should we carry weapons and work with the militants or work with the army or live like victims? Everyone is preying on us," said a North Sinai resident interviewed for the report.

HRW called on the United States to halt all military assistance to Egypt until gross violations are fully investigated.

Egypt has for years been fighting a hardened insurgency in North Sinai, which escalated following the 2013 military ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

Since then, hundreds of police officers and soldiers have been killed in militant attacks.

In February 2018, the army launched a nationwide operation against Islamic extremists, focused on the North Sinai.

Some 650 militants and around 45 soldiers have been killed since the start of the offensive, according to separate statements by the armed forces.

Human Rights Watch on Tuesday accused both Egyptian security forces and terrorist of committing "war crimes" in their confrontation in the restive North Sinai region.

Human Rights Watch on Tuesday accused both Egyptian security forces and terrorist of committing "war crimes" in their confrontation in the restive North Sinai region. "While Egyptian military and police forces were responsible for the majority of abuses documented in the report, extremist militants have also committed horrific crimes," the New York-based group said in a 134-page report. "Some of the abuses carried out by government forces and the militants, which this report documents, are war crimes, and their widespread and systematic nature could amount to crimes against humanity." HRW compiled the report over two years interviewing more than 50 residents of the Sinai Peninsula, in northeast Egypt, where independent media coverage is effectively banned and a state of emergency has been in force since 2013. In late 2017, North Sinai was the scene of the deadliest attack in Egypt's modern history when militants killed more than 300 worshippers at a mosque, without any group claiming responsibility. Islamist militants have kidnapped and tortured scores of residents and also attacked security forces. Security forces have likewise targeted Sinai residents arresting thousands and forcibly "disappearing" dozens, according to the HRW report. Children as young as 12 have been detained in routine sweeps eventually being jailed in secret prisons. Alongside the report, a video was released showing footage of air strikes on residents' homes and extrajudicial killings of suspected jihadists by security forces. "Why all of this? Should we carry weapons and work with the militants or work with the army or live like victims? Everyone is preying on us," said a North Sinai resident interviewed for the report. HRW called on the United States to halt all military assistance to Egypt until gross violations are fully investigated. Egypt has for years been fighting a hardened insurgency in North Sinai, which escalated following the 2013 military ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. Since then, hundreds of police officers and soldiers have been killed in militant attacks. In February 2018, the army launched a nationwide operation against Islamic extremists, focused on the North Sinai. Some 650 militants and around 45 soldiers have been killed since the start of the offensive, according to separate statements by the armed forces.

Human Rights Watch accuses Egypt forces, militants of Sinai 'war crimes'

At least nine terrorists were killed and 16 others injured as Egypt&#39;s army foiled an attack on a number of security checkpoints in North Sinai, military officials said.

The attack, which took place yesterday, targeted different army checkpoints at the same time. The attackers used cars carrying explosives, motorcycles and electronic weapons, military spokesperson colonel Tamer el-Refa&#39;e said in a statement.

The armed forces exchanged fire with the attackers, killing nine and injuring 16 others. They also destroyed six of their vehicles, he added.

North Sinai has been the stage for many terrorists attacks since the January 2011 revolution that toppled the ex-president Hosni Mubarak.

The attacks mainly targeting police and military increased after the ouster of Islamist ex-president Mohamed Morsi in 2013 by military following massive protests against his rule.

Over 700 security personnel have been reported killed since then.

The military has launched security campaigns in the area, arrested suspects and demolished houses that belong to terrorists, including those facilitating tunnels leading to the Gaza Strip.

(PTI)&nbsp;

The army says the targets were different checkpoints in the North Sinai, the site of many terror attacks since 2011, when Mubarak fell

At least nine terrorists were killed and 16 others injured as Egypt's army foiled an attack on a number of security checkpoints in North Sinai, military officials said. The attack, which took place yesterday, targeted different army checkpoints at the same time. The attackers used cars carrying explosives, motorcycles and electronic weapons, military spokesperson colonel Tamer el-Refa'e said in a statement. The armed forces exchanged fire with the attackers, killing nine and injuring 16 others. They also destroyed six of their vehicles, he added. North Sinai has been the stage for many terrorists attacks since the January 2011 revolution that toppled the ex-president Hosni Mubarak. The attacks mainly targeting police and military increased after the ouster of Islamist ex-president Mohamed Morsi in 2013 by military following massive protests against his rule. Over 700 security personnel have been reported killed since then. The military has launched security campaigns in the area, arrested suspects and demolished houses that belong to terrorists, including those facilitating tunnels leading to the Gaza Strip. (PTI)

Egypt army foils terror attack: At least 9 dead, 16 injured

north-sinai

North Sinai, News on North Sinai, stories on North Sinai, articles on North Sinai, North Sinai stories at Wion, North Sinai news, North Sinai latest news

north sinai

Human Rights Watch accuses Egypt forces, militants of Sinai 'war crimes'

Egypt army foils terror attack: At least 9 dead, 16 injured