The fighting between Egypt and Islamist rebels in the Sinai has become an overt civil war. Civilians are accused by each side of supporting the other side.

Because Egypt has criminalized independent reporting of news about the fighting, the state's reports of success do not tell us who is really winning this war.

Human Rights Watch says, "Destroying homes, neighbourhoods and livelihoods is a textbook example of how to lose a counterinsurgency campaign."