Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egyptian authorities say they have disrupted a planned series of attacks linked to the terrorist militant group Hasm Movement, following the arrest and confession of a key suspect who allegedly received military training abroad.
In a statement, the Egyptian Ministry of Interior said that Ali Abdel-Wanis, described as a leading figure within the organization, admitted to traveling to the Gaza Strip through underground tunnels. According to the statement, the journey was coordinated with Yehia Moussa, a fugitive figure accused by Egyptian authorities of involvement in militant activities.
Abdel-Wanis reportedly told investigators that he spent four months in Gaza, where he underwent military training that included weapons handling and anti-armor tactics. He then returned to Egypt with instructions to carry out attacks targeting state institutions and infrastructure.
The Interior Ministry said the case forms part of a broader security operation aimed at dismantling cells affiliated with Hasm, which Egypt classifies as a terrorist organization linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. The group has been blamed for a number of attacks in recent years, although it has denied some accusations in the past.
Authorities said the disrupted plot involved plans to target security and economic facilities across the country. Two additional suspects, identified as Ahmed Mohamed Abdelrazek Ghoneim and Ihab Abdel Latif Mohamed Abdelkader, were allegedly tasked with carrying out coordinated attacks.
According to the official statement, security forces raided the suspects’ hideouts in Giza on July 7, 2025. The operation led to an exchange of gunfire, resulting in the deaths of both suspects. Authorities said one civilian was killed during the incident and a police officer was injured.
Egypt has faced a persistent insurgency and sporadic militant attacks over the past decade, particularly following the political upheaval that followed the June 30 Revolution. Security forces have since intensified operations against armed groups, especially those accused of targeting state institutions and personnel.
Officials maintain that continued vigilance and preemptive operations are necessary to counter evolving threats. Analysts note that while such crackdowns have disrupted multiple plots, they also highlight the enduring challenge posed by decentralized militant networks operating both داخل and beyond Egypt’s borders.
