(AFP Photo)
The Egyptian military deployed 30 carriers transporting tanks as well as five busses carrying about 250 soldiers from the Second Field Army into North Sinai on Monday.
Second Field Army Commander Major General Ahmed Wasfy himself made his way there alongside other military leaders and operational staff in anticipation of a possible military operation to free the seven kidnapped soldiers.
The military also deployed other vehicles including jeeps carrying rocket launchers as well as several Special Forces units.
Meanwhile the Ministry of Interior also deployed vehicles and personnel. Eight Central Security Forces (CSF) personnel units made their way to North Sinai alongside 26 armoured personnel carriers following an attack on a CSF camp by unidentified gunmen on Monday morning.
Presidential spokesman Omar Amer called the military and police reinforcements “standard” in a situation like this and that it did not necessary mean President Mohamed Morsi would order a military operation.
