CAIRO (AP) — The Egyptian military has begun arming Bedouin tribesmen in northern and central parts of the Sinai Peninsula and having them patrol the area at the center of a yearslong, bloody conflict.
It's a switch from the past in the long-running fight against militants from an Islamic State affiliate that operates in Sinai. The tribesmen say their local knowledge gives them an advantage in the campaign.
The military hasn't publicly acknowledged arming and using the Bedouin as a fighting force, saying only that they cooperate and provide intelligence. In the past, security forces have been wary of giving weapons to the Bedouin, given the long history of tensions with the tribesmen.
The shift appears to be an attempt to bring the Sinai population more onto the government's side in the fight.
