Iraqi paper reports the Muslim Brotherhood’s request on Hamas’ behalf was rejected due to fears it could spark further disturbances during a time of nationwide unrest.
The paper also quotes an anonymous security source who said that there exists three training camps for al-Qaida-linked groups in the northern Sinai. These would form a base from which they could transform the Sinai into a war zone in the case of a clash with the Egyptian army. There are no more than 1,500 people in the camps.
According to the same source, the camps are run by the al-Qaida-linked Egyptian Ansar al-Jihad, the Gaza based Jaljalat group, Jund Muhammad, Jund al-Islam, Tawhid, and the Gaza based al-Jihad. The activity of the camps has increased because of the lawlessness of the Sinai. These groups conduct weapons training during the daytime, including the use of anti-aircraft weapons, tanks, and armor piercing weapons.
Earlier this month, the Egyptian al-Ahram reported that Egyptian Salafist leaders were planning to visit their compatriots in Gaza. No date has yet been set for the visit according to the report.