(VOVworld) - Despite intensive security operations and the presence of the Egyptian armed forces across the Sinai province, Egypt, the kidnapping of civilians there has increased alarmingly since early November.

Despite intensive security operations and the presence of the Egyptian armed forces across the Sinai province, Egypt, the kidnapping of civilians there has increased alarmingly since early November (Photo: Daily Mail)

According to local sources, Hamdy El-Abed El-Obaidat, a teacher in Emad El-Din school in Al-Arish city, Sinai province, was kidnapped by a masked group, who broke into his residence Monday and took him away in front of his wife and children. Last Tuesday evening, a man named Hossam Salah El-Solmeya was also kidnapped by an anonymous group. This happened near his residence in Al-Arish city. 

The group “Sinai Province” was declared its affiliation with ISIS and said it is targeting civilians who are known to be supporters of the government’s operations against ISIS. ISIS gunmen in Sinai often watch people suspected of supporting the army before kidnapping and killing them.