The Egyptian military has ordered all fishing to stop of the coast of northern Sinai because Islamist militants have been trying to enter the country illegally.
Since smuggling tunnels between Egypt and the Gaza Strip were closed two months ago, Egyptian officials said militants have increasingly tried to enter the country by sea. Clashes between Egyptian forces and militants have resulted in several fatalities in the region, Palestinian news agency Ma'an said Saturday.
Military officials said militants have tried to enter Egypt to capitalize on the political instability in the days since former president Mohammad Morsi was deposed.
