Armed men block north Sinai road

A group of unidentified armed men blocked the Qantara-Arish high road to call for abolishing rulings issued in absentia against them and some Sinai residents. The group forced drivers to stop their vehicles at gunpoint and stole the keys, causing congestion in the area, security sources said. Some vehicles went to side streets to prevent driving into the armed men. Security bodies are currently searching for the armed men to retrieve the stolen keys and clear traffic on the road. Meanwhile, dozens of fishermen and boat owners cut the Arish-Rafah road just opposite to the Arish municipal council to protest the diesel fuel crisis. The fishermen need diesel to run their boats, saying fishing was their only source of livelihood. Also some residents blocked the Arish-Central Sinai road leading to cement factories to call for releasing their arrested relatives. They parked their cars in the middle of the road to prevent trucks from entering the area. Tribal leaders are currently negotiating with them to end their protest and allow the traffic to flow.