A part of the larger background of an international campaign against the Islamic State, over two hundred militants tied to the terrorist group have been reported dead.

[4] According to the official armed forces spokesman, the operation has been launched based on an estimation of the situation and fresh information about many hideouts and targets.

[citation needed] Eyewitnesses in North Sinai confirmed there had been a buildup for the operation and an increased number of security checkpoints.

[8] The Egyptian military deployed naval special forces units in order to patrol the shore line and prevent any attempt for the militants to receive help or escape by sea.

[9] First phase On 23 September 2015, the Egyptian military spokesman announced the ending of the first phase of the operation, after 16 days, and resulting in the following:[citation needed] According to an annual report issued by the U.S. State Department in June 2016, global terrorist activity for 2015 has declined nationwide in the second half of the year because of this.