President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Saturday 01/04/2023 inspected security checkpoints east of the Suez Canal, where he joined an Iftar banquet with army personnel of the counter-terrorism command, in addition to the second and third field armies.

Marking the 50th anniversary of Egypt's Glorious Victory in the 6th of October War 1973, which according to the Islamic Hijri calendar marks the 10th of the holy month of Ramadan of the same year, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, accompanied by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Minister of Defense and Military Production Mohamed Zaki, and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Osama Askar, inspected the military checkpoints east of the Suez Canal to check on the morale, living and administrative conditions of the army personnel while performing their duties.

The President praised the combat readiness of the Armed Forces, expressing his appreciation for their efforts and sacrifices to preserve the security of the homeland and the safety of its territories.

The President then visited the permanent operations centre of the East of Suez Canal counter-terrorism command, where he listened to a thorough description of the goals and decisions made in connection with the integrated development process that the Egyptian state is carrying out in all facets of life in Sinai to create a secure environment once things return to normal.

He also met with commanders, officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers there, hailing their efforts to maintain security and stability in Sinai.

He praised the brave police officers and armed forces soldiers for their heroic efforts in eradicating terrorism, purifying Sinai's lands, and restoring daily life so that its residents can lead a good and normal life.

He hailed the nation's righteous martyrs who gave their lives in defense of the homeland's soil. "The state will never forget its martyrs who illuminated the path of development and construction with their blood."

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi also honoured a number of heroes of the armed forces for their distinction and for their participation in a number of raids to eliminate terrorist elements, aiming that such honouring would be a strong incentive and motivation for them to continue the march.

During his meeting with a number of Sinai chieftains and army commanders, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi asserted that the great sacrifices carried out by Egypt had achieved their goals.

For their part, a group of Sinai chieftains presented a souvenir to President Sisi on the occasion of the tenth of Ramadan victory. 

The President expressed gratitude to the people of Sinai who, together with their Armed Forces, had a significant impact on creating a secure environment that allowed the government to carry out mega development projects in a variety of fields in Sinai.

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi greeted the army officers and commanders as well as Sinai chieftains on the occasion of the holy month Ramadan, adding that he is happy to have Iftar with them.

He urged to hold one-minute silence on the souls of martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sake of Egypt and Sinai’s security and safety.

He noted that no one can forget the sacrifices carried out by martyrs and those injured in battles aiming at reaching security, safety and stability in Egypt including Sinai that returned back to Egypt after battling the wicked who were there for 10 years.

President El-Sisi said that the Egyptian state is working to make Sinai different from the one that we had witnessed during the past few years.

He said: “We have put in a lot of work over the last seven to eight years. The outcomes are what matter the most; the prices are irrelevant.”

He noted that the Sinai Peninsula covers an area of about 60,000 square kilometres, which is larger than all the inhabited area of Egypt at the moment.

He added that the amount of work done and money invested to create genuine development projects over the previous few years are enormous, asserting that this is something Sinai deserves.

We mark the 10th of Ramadan's anniversary here in Sinai, where the blood of the sons of the Armed Forces, the police, state bodies, and the Egyptian people was shed in the past few years.

He stressed that as the combat was on par with any battles witnessed by Egypt in earlier conflicts, thus the celebration must be suitable of such sacrifices, he added.

President El-Sisi said: “I reaffirm my pledge and covenant with the Egyptian people in Sinai that we will work harder on projects that will benefit everyone.”

He added: “We are working and will continue to work and move forward, and the state is already spending funds and will continue to do so because this needs to be fixed.”

President El-Sisi emphasized the need of strengthening cohesion between Sinai residents and the governmental bodies. "Along with the tribal sheikhs, the army commanders and police fulfill this duty. We are aware of these practices, value them, respect them, and will continue to support them."

He said sometimes there are severe difficulties, but through the sheikhs who use their heritage and values, we were able to solve these difficulties. 

The President stressed that the world is experiencing a serious economic crisis that has a significant impact on us, but despite that, we will overcome the crisis as we have overcome several challenges, including the war against terrorism.

He added that Allah the Almighty sees us working and striving, and he will reward us.

President El-Sisi said no issue cannot be resolved, provided that we are willing to sacrifice and increase our efforts in a methodical, intelligent manner.

He added that notwithstanding the challenging conditions and the Russian crisis, we can handle it and its strain, and Allah will give us success to do that.

President El-Sisi confirmed that he was aware of the situation in Sinai from 2008 to 2010, saying: "We all have to play a common role - not just state agencies - so we worked to strengthen the role and status of tribal sheikhs to guarantee that the past conditions will not be repeated again.

He highlighted that the army and police, as well as all Egyptians, paid the price to restore stability in Sinai, saying: "The fight that took place on the land of Sinai against terrorism is no less significant than any fight carried out by Egypt in previous battles.”

He said: “The work that was carried out in this war is no less significant than the work that led to the victory of October,” adding: “Remember, ten years ago many people were asking when terrorism would be over. Now, thanks to you, it is over.”

He also assured that the current economic crisis in the country “will be over soon and will become history.”