Egypt's Sisi extends emergency state in N. Sinai by 3 months

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi extended by three months a state of emergency imposed in some parts of restive North Sinai, state-run MENA news agency reported on Wednesday.

The decree also imposes a night-time curfew in some areas between 19:00 (1700 GMT) and 6:00 (0400 GMT) except for Arish city, where the curfew will start at 1:00 till 5:00.

According to the decree, army and police forces are required to take all necessary measures to confront terror threats as well as preserving the governorate's security and protecting public and private property and citizens.

The state of emergency and night curfews in North Sinai were first announced on Oct. 25 last year following a blast that targeted a big military checkpoint in the province that left dozens soldiers dead.

The state of emergency has since been respectively extended by three months.

Egypt has witnessed anti-government attacks that left hundreds of police and army personnel dead or injured since the military ousted Islamist president Mohammed Morsi in July 2013 in response to protests against his rule.

Most of the anti-state attacks were claimed by the "Sinai State," an Islamic militant group based in Sinai and is affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) group.

The Egyptian army in September started a comprehensive anti-terror operation in North Sinai Province.

The army said hundreds of militants have been killed during the ongoing operation. Endit