عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Egypt: ‘Volatile Borders’ Continue to Pose Terror Threats

A still image from a circulated video in which the Hasm movement announces its intention to resume operations in Egypt
A still image from a circulated video in which the Hasm movement announces its intention to resume operations in Egypt
TT
TT

Egypt: ‘Volatile Borders’ Continue to Pose Terror Threats

A still image from a circulated video in which the Hasm movement announces its intention to resume operations in Egypt
A still image from a circulated video in which the Hasm movement announces its intention to resume operations in Egypt

A preemptive security operation recently carried out by Egypt’s Interior Ministry has highlighted growing concerns over the country’s volatile borders, which security sources say are being exploited by armed groups to stage attempted “hostile operations” inside Egypt.

The ministry announced on Sunday that it had foiled a planned terrorist attack by the outlawed Hasm movement, an armed wing of the banned Muslim Brotherhood.

According to the statement, one of the group’s operatives, trained in advanced military tactics abroad, attempted to infiltrate Egypt illegally to carry out sabotage activities.

A security source revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the suspect, who was killed in a raid along with other militants, had previously trained in Libya and had also resided in Sudan. “He crossed into Egypt illegally before planning the attack,” the source said.

The Interior Ministry said it had received intelligence indicating that Hasm’s leadership, currently operating from Türkiye, was preparing to revive the group’s militant activities, targeting economic and security installations across the country.

This information follows a video posted online two weeks ago, allegedly by Hasm, in which masked gunmen are shown conducting live-fire drills in a desert environment, accompanied by a written statement threatening new attacks.

Security officials say parts of the video were compiled from old footage, but some clips showed recent training sessions in Libya, prompting intensified surveillance and tracking efforts.

The ministry stated that the raid on the militant hideout was met with heavy gunfire from the suspects, leading to a firefight in which the terrorists were killed. Tragically, a civilian passerby was also killed, and a police officer was injured while attempting to rescue the wounded man.

Former Interior Ministry spokesperson Gen. Hany Abdel Latif praised the operation as a “significant success,” noting Egypt’s sustained security dominance. However, he cautioned that “this does not mean terrorism has been eradicated. It remains a threat, both here and globally.”

Abdel Latif pointed to Egypt’s “volatile borders”, particularly with Libya, Sudan, and Gaza, as persistent vulnerabilities. “These frontiers provide opportunities for extremists to infiltrate and plot attacks,” he said.

He warned that the Hasm movement - despite being weakened – continues to have active operatives and ideological remnants capable of regrouping. “We must remain vigilant. The threat is ongoing, and no warning should be underestimated,” he underlined.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Syria’s Interior Minister Warns Remnants of Former Regime

FILE PHOTO: Members of the Syrian Security forces stand guard near military vehicles on the day people protest in Latakia, Syria, December 28, 2025. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Members of the Syrian Security forces stand guard near military vehicles on the day people protest in Latakia, Syria, December 28, 2025. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri/File Photo
TT
TT

Syria’s Interior Minister Warns Remnants of Former Regime

FILE PHOTO: Members of the Syrian Security forces stand guard near military vehicles on the day people protest in Latakia, Syria, December 28, 2025. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Members of the Syrian Security forces stand guard near military vehicles on the day people protest in Latakia, Syria, December 28, 2025. REUTERS/Karam al-Masri/File Photo

Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab has warned the remnants of the former regime against efforts to lead chaos, killing, and destruction as his ministry announced the arrest of several people in Latakia and Tartus for involvement in war crimes and instigations that threaten civil peace.

Khattab stressed on Wednesday that the state is the sole guarantor for all citizens, ensuring their security, preserving their dignity, and safeguarding their rights.

The minister said in a statement on X that since the early days following Syria’s liberation, the ministry has positioned itself as a central force in restoring order and safety across the country.

This effort has been carried out in coordination with other government agencies and local communities to confront a wide range of security challenges.

Khattab stressed that the ministry’s new approach to policing prioritizes public safety over intimidation. “Our goal is to protect citizens, not to frighten them,” he said, adding that a formal code of conduct has been introduced to ensure law enforcement operates within clear legal and ethical boundaries.

Despite these reforms, remnants of the deposed regime who have aligned themselves with wanted criminals have misinterpreted the ministry’s ethical approach as weakness. “We will protect the oppressed and hold accountable anyone who threatens our country’s security,” he said.

The minister warned the remnants of the defunct regime and their criminal gangs, who insist on continuing the path of chaos, killing, and destruction to “await their inevitable fate.”

“Let this message serve as a final warning to them to cease their actions,” he added.

Meanwhile, the ministry said on its Telegram channel that several people were arrested in operations in Latakia and Tartus after external calls by instigators have led to sectarian chaos and left many people dead and injured.

“The operation came in response to external inciting calls of a sectarian nature, which led to a state of chaos, the death of a number of people, the injury of others, and assaults on public and private property,” it said, noting that “operations are ongoing against these corrupt individuals.”

The ministry said in its statement that it has played an active role in restoring the social fabric and strengthening civil peace. However, “some parties have sought to exploit this stage to spread chaos, undermine security, and threaten stability.”

Arab World

This Is Our Story, Mohammed

The late Mohammed al-Shafei in his office. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The late Mohammed al-Shafei in his office. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
TT

This Is Our Story, Mohammed

The late Mohammed al-Shafei in his office. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The late Mohammed al-Shafei in his office. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

This is our story, Mohammed. We fell in the trap early. We were lured by the beautiful, but deceitful, ink. We chose a thorny profession. We chose a long tunnel. No breaks and no truces. It is the hot pursuit of the news that takes up most of our lives. The reader is insatiable. The journalist pursues stories for so long, until they become the story. A story in their own newspaper. A story about a death. A story about farewell.

We were preparing to say farewell to the year, not say farewell to you. You took part in our meeting on Tuesday. You always made it to our daily meetings. You always brought your experience with you, your kind way of speaking. It was as if you were trying to tell us a message. The old warrior never retires. He would rather fall in the ring. Hours after the meeting, we received the painful news. Your heart betrayed you, as it is likely to do.

The nature of our profession had it so this calm man would occupy himself with thorny files and tough men. Afghanistan took up his interests. He used to travel there when it was teeming with al-Mujahideen. He would return from those arduous journeys with news, investigations and interviews. Even as old age took its toll, Mohammed al-Shafei never abandoned his passion. News intrigued him.

He joined Asharq Al-Awsat nearly four decades ago. He loved the Asharq Al-Awsat family and it loved him back. As in all love stories, he never hesitated, never backed down and was never withholding. I say Asharq Al-Awsat family, while it is a garden of news and headlines, investigations and articles. The family is composed of various nationalities and experiences. They are united under one roof and one passion. He was proud of being part of a trusted newspaper that has preserved its spirit over the years.

How difficult it is to face death. For it to take away a dear son and a valued teacher. How difficult the loss will be. We were used to arguing with you, asking you questions and learning from you. How difficult it will be to pass by your empty office. How difficult it will be to not see you at our meetings.

This is our story, Mohammed. We live between the lines and die between the lines. We will finally rest in the archives of the newspaper. The warmth of our colleagues. Asharq Al-Awsat, with its diversity and generations, embraces everyone who was a part of the family and enriched the experience of its readers. Your heart betrayed you, as it is likely to do, but friendships know no betrayals.

Arab World

Asharq Al-Awsat's Mohammed al-Shafei Passes Away Leaving Behind Long Career in Pursuing the Toughest Files

Mohammed al-Shafei on board a military jet on his way to Afghanistan. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Mohammed al-Shafei on board a military jet on his way to Afghanistan. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
TT

Asharq Al-Awsat's Mohammed al-Shafei Passes Away Leaving Behind Long Career in Pursuing the Toughest Files

Mohammed al-Shafei on board a military jet on his way to Afghanistan. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Mohammed al-Shafei on board a military jet on his way to Afghanistan. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Mohammed al-Shafei, one of Asharq Al-Awsat's most prominent journalists, passed away at 74 on Wednesday, leaving behind a career that spanned over 40 years during which he tackled the thorniest and most complex files.

Al-Shafei specialized in extremist groups and was among the first journalists to have written about these issues in Arab press. He pursued his stories with strict professionalism, seeking out sources. He joined Asharq Al-Awsat in 1982, kicking off a long, dedicated career, marked by accuracy, commitment and high professionalism.

Al-Shafei was born in Egypt in 1951. He earned a Bachelor of Islamic Archeology from the University of Cairo in 1974. He traveled to London in 1977 and earned a Postgraduate Diploma in translation from the University of Westminster. He pursued further studies in journalistic translation at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in the mid-1980s, forging his unique skills in handling foreign sources, complex documents and sensitive security and political texts.

Mohammed al-Shafei at his Asharq Al-Awsat office in, as photographed by his colleague Adil al-Salmi.

He kicked off his journalism career in London in the 1980s. He worked at several Arabic newspapers published abroad, including “Al-Muslimoon” newspaper that was published by the Saudi Research & Publishing Company (SRMG) and the London-based “Al-Arab” newspaper. He returned to SRMG by working for the “Al-Zahira” newspaper that was established after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. The years he will spend at the newspaper will shape his deep knowledge of regional conflicts and their complexities.

He joined Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper in 1991, starting off in the sports section, where he worked for 15 years, during which he showed high professionalism and a remarkable ability to follow up and analyze news before moving on to the next step in his career by handling the terrorism file. He became a pioneer in Arab journalism, relying on accurate documentation and deep analyses while steering clear of sensationalism in tackling the most sensitive issues.

Mohammed al-Shafei with former British Ambassador to Afghanistan Mark Sedwill. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

His accomplishments include holding direct interviews with senior al-Qaeda leaders, including Mullah Omar. He traveled to Afghanistan where he interviewed Taliban leaders during times of heightened tensions. The rare insights offered by his interviews became a main reference for researchers and journalists interested in jihadists groups.

During the war on al-Qaeda, al-Shafei made several field visits to American bases in Afghanistan, joined international forces in conflict zones and carried out investigative reports from the battlefield, offering a glimpse of developments on the ground, the nature of the operations and the complexities of the scene, which was rare in Arab journalism at the time.

Mohammed al-Shafei interviews former Afghan Vice President Abdul Karim Khalili. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Al-Shafei also carried out several interviews of Osama bin Laden’s son, presenting a humanitarian angle of the news and underscoring his professional ability to reach what were perceived as inaccessible sources, all without losing his professionalism and objectivity.

He was among the few Arab journalists who carried out interviews from Guantanamo prison where al-Qaeda members were being detained. The interviews offered yet another rare insight into terrorism issues and how these groups operate.

Al-Shafei helped in writing the book, “Al-Qaeda’s Men in Iran... A Safe Haven and Suspicious Alliance”, which was a result of years of research. It is seen as one of the first Arab publications about Iran’s ties to al-Qaeda, revealing that they had existed for years and were based on mutual interests.

Mohammed al-Shafei with an American soldier in Afghanistan. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Al-Shafei married a Turkish woman in London in the late 1970s. They have a son and daughter. His son, Mahmoud, followed in his father’s footsteps, pursuing a career in journalism. He worked for Asharq Al-Awsat for three years.

Hours before his passing, al-Shafei remained dedicated to his profession. He wrote several articles that he sent to Asharq Al-Awsat and was in touch with his colleague by telephone to follow up on his work as was his habit throughout his career. With his passing, Arab journalism loses a calm and hardworking journalist, who was known by his colleagues for his discipline and humility.