Terror has arrived in Egypt, after years of simmering tension and periodic upsurges in violence.

But this week’s assassination of the country’s top state prosecutor, followed up by Wednesday’s attacks in Sinai and anti-terror operations in Cairo, have made it clear that the scourge of violent religious extremism will likely be around for a while until it is defeated.

The month of Ramadan, which is supposed to allow believers to focus on piety and charity, has been turned into a living hell by militants from ISISand other groups.

For decades, Egypt has struggled to contain the threat posed by the Muslim Brotherhood, which has elements dedicated to violence – but Al-Qaeda-inspired groups such as ISIS and other affiliates of the terror network have unleashed a wave of coordinated attacks against Egyptian security personnel.

The extremists benefit from significant sources of funding and other resources, high-level organization, inside information, and other factors as they wage their war. The militants are also ready to die for the cause, and they certainly know how to stage violent attacks that inflict the maximum level of pain possible on their enemies.

This type of violence, as the world saw last week when three continents experienced attacks by ISIS or supporters, knows no borders. The counterattack shouldn’t know any borders either. Those who wish to fight this extremism must match their enemies in terms of resources, seriousness and vision, or else the fight will be in vain. The only agenda that matters is one dedicated to eradicating this sickness, as its repercussions are far more destructive for people in this region than for those outside.

SOURCE:   http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Editorial/2015/Jul-02/304696-fight-fire-with-fire.ashx