On 5 August 2012 , an attack on the Rafah barracks shook the Egyptian military and population . Only a month into his term , President Mohamed Morsi sacked the longstanding defence minister and promoted General al Sisi to take his place . Operation Sinai was launched , aimed at eliminating armed Islamist groups , protecting the Suez Canal , and destroying the tunnel network connecting the Sinai with the Gaza Strip . During the operation , 32 militants and suspects were killed and 38 arrested , while 2 civilians had been killed by early September 2012
attack on the Rafah barracks
August 2012 Sinai attack
Sinai insurgency