MENA Regional Low Intensity Conflicts, April 15 – April 23

[EGYPT]: An Egyptian Air Force F-16 struck an alleged Islamic State weapons and gathering point in the Sinai Peninsula on April 20^th, killing 19 affiliated militants, according to the Egyptian Army.

Gunmen killed 1 police officer, injuring 3 others, on April 18^th. The incident took place at a checkpoint near the UNESCO World Heritage site “Saint Catherine’s Monastery”, in the southern Sinai Peninsula.

2 alleged Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated militants were killed by Egyptian security forces during a clash in Kafr Saad, Damietta Province, on April 18^th. The security forces arrived after having received information that people inside an apartment had been involved in an IED attack in Ras el-Bar in early April.

13 alleged Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated militants were arrested on April 16^th.

[TURKEY]: A controversial Presidential Referendum passed by a slim margin on April 16^th. The referendum provides unprecedented power to the Turkish executive branch, currently under control by Erdogan. Opposition parties have voiced concern over the referendum, and contested the outcome. International monitoring groups are still investigating the events.

Gunmen opened fire on the home of Turkish journalist Irfan Degirmenci on April 19^th. Degirmenci was previously a TV presenter on the Turkish TV station “Kanal D”. He was reportedly released from his contract with the TV station after having declared on twitter that he would vote ‘no’ to the Presidential Referendum on April 16^th. No one was injured in the shooting. The gunmen are still free.

19 alleged Islamic State-affiliated militants were arrested in Izmir on April 20^th. All individuals detained carried Syrian identification papers. Authorities have stated that during the arrests automatic weapons, IS propaganda, and bomb making equipment, were found on the premises.

[SAUDI ARABIA]: The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has confirmed that rockets from al Houthi controlled areas inside Yemen killed 5 Saudi citizens in Najran on April 18^th. The victims are all described as civilians.

Gunmen opened fire on the house of the former councilman Nabil al-Ibrahim in al Qatif, Eastern Province, on April 17^th. Several of al-Ibrahim’s family were inside the house at the time, none were injured. This is the third assassination attempt on al-Ibrahim this year. The gunmen remain unidentified, and have not been detained.

A Saudi Border Guard was killed, and three others injured, by a landmine near the ad-Dayr, Jazan province, by the Saudi-Yemeni border on April 16^th. The mine is believed to have been placed by al Houthi fighters.

[BAHRAIN]: Continuing call by Shiite opposition groups for demonstrations and protests throughout the country.