In the wake of the worst terrorist attack in Egypt's history, Sinai tribesmen have begun calling on the government to arm them so they can help counter further such actions. The Nov. 24 bomb and shooting attack — thought to have been carried out by Wilayat Sinai, an Islamic State (IS) affiliate — at a Sufi mosque in the Bedouin village of al-Rawda, in northern Sinai, left more than 300 civilians dead, including 27 children. 

Sheikh Issa al-Kharafin of the Rumailat tribe told Al-Monitor that military officials and leaders of north Sinai tribes have held several meetings to develop a framework for coordination going forward. According to Kharafin, the meetings were conducted separately with each tribe, some of which requested that the state arm their members to actively participate in military and security operations against violent extremists.

There are some 11 tribes in the Sinai Peninsula, and over the years, they have quietly worked with the army, most recently by providing information about the extremists' hideouts. Kharafin said security officials told the tribes' seeking arms that their requests would be taken into consideration. He, however, opposes such a move, asserting, “Weapons must be kept in the hands of the army and the police alone. Only Sinai residents who can help and accompany the security forces during their security operations should be armed.”

Kharafin believes the role of the tribes, who are Bedouin, should be limited to intelligence on hiding places and accompanying security forces on their raids and combing operations, because they are knowledgable about the Sinai's terrain, including the mountainous areas.