Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi honored militia fighter Ibrahim Hammad as a martyr, despite allegations of his involvement in war crimes. This recognition has been criticized by human rights groups, which seek accountability for his actions during the ongoing conflict in Sinai, where thousands of civilians have also faced displacement and suffering. The lack of investigations into such allegations underscores a broader issue of impunity within the region.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi posthumously honored Ibrahim Hammad, a militia fighter, as a “martyr” on Tuesday, in defiance of calls from human rights organizations urging an investigation into war crime allegations against him. This recognition was made during an annual remembrance event for armed forces members killed in combat, during which Sisi presented a reward to Hammad’s mother.
Ibrahim Hammad was killed on May 10, 2022, during an Egyptian military operation aimed at combating alleged terrorists in the Sheikh Zuweid area of North Sinai. The Sinai Foundation for Human Rights (SFHR), based in London, condemned Sisi’s remarks, emphasizing that Hammad has been implicated in serious human rights violations.
The SFHR and Human Rights Watch (HRW) have documented Hammad’s involvement in the execution of unarmed civilians in Sinai in 2017. They stated, “This act represents a severe insult to the victims and their families and reinforces the policy of impunity.”
A verified video from 2017 shows Hammad participating in the execution of two young brothers from the Rumailat tribe, both of whom were arrested the previous year and subsequently disappeared. According to the SFHR, this incident exemplifies an undeniable war crime.
The organization highlighted the absence of any investigations following these incidents, noting Hammad continued to collaborate with the army until his death. They argue that honoring individuals accused of war crimes signals the state’s unwillingness to hold such offenders accountable.
The Egyptian army, alongside local tribes, conducted a campaign against the Islamic State-affiliated Sinai Province from 2013 to 2022. While the Egyptian military claims to have effectively neutralized the threat, thousands of local inhabitants were forcibly displaced and have yet to return to their homes, which have been repurposed into a buffer zone along the Israel-Gaza border. Throughout the conflict, HRW and SFHR have reported war crimes by both sides, yet Cairo has not pursued legal actions against any perpetrators of these alleged violations and has granted amnesty to some members of the Islamic State following the conflict’s conclusion.
In conclusion, the recognition of Ibrahim Hammad as a martyr by President Sisi has sparked significant controversy, particularly given his documented involvement in war crimes. Human rights organizations emphasize the need for accountability, highlighting an ongoing cycle of impunity for violations occurring during the prolonged conflict in North Sinai. This situation raises pressing concerns about the commitment to justice and the treatment of human rights violations in Egypt.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
