Egyptian camel racing returns to northern Sinai after 14-year hiatus
After a 14-year hiatus, the Egyptian state resumed camel racing in el-Arish in north Sinai, in a bid to show that security and stability have returned to the governorate after the Egyptian army had been fighting an insurgency led by terrorist groups for years.
The Egyptian state is trying to reestablish some aspects of normalcy in the northern Sinai Peninsula, as a way to prove the victory of the Egyptian army over terrorist groups active in the area. As part of these efforts, the north Sinai governorate organized a camel race in the city of el-Arish after a 14-year hiatus.
The two-day camel race took place on Sept. 14-15 with the participation of tribesmen. The event was accompanied by several art and sports activities and an exhibition of Sinai-made products.
Sinai towns are known their for camel racing events, specifically el-Arish. Races were organized at the racetrack in el-Arish twice a year before they were suspended in 2008 due to the clashes between the Egyptian army and terrorist groups.
In the past months, the Egyptian army and security forces have intensified their attacks against terrorists in north Sinai, specifically in el-Arish. In May, the Egyptian forces announced the killing of 31 militants in el-Arish and Bir al-Abd.
