Jihadism expansion in Egypt after 2011 on the example of Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, Sinai Province and other structures

Abstract

Since the ‘January 25 Revolution’ the Egyptian territory has become
a subject of increased interest of various jihadist structures. The Sinai Peninsula
plays a special role in their development as it is an area of strategic
importance because of its proximity to Israel and Cairo, one of the centers of
the Arab world. Among such structures there is Sinai Province, which is a relatively
new player on the scene of the Egyptian political violence, although
now this entity has the greatest influence on this territory. The group derives
from Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, a group that appeared in the northern part of the
Sinai Peninsula in 2011. In 2013 it transformed into a branch of the Islamic
State. Despite significant operational capabilities, Sinai Province is not the
only jihadi structure functioning in Egypt. New armed groups opposed to
state structures are formed, which include Ajnad Misr or the Allied Popular
Resistance Movement. The article aims to present the process of jihadism
expansion in Egypt after 2011, tying it with destabilisation of the state’s
internal structures, reflected by frequent changes of authorities.