In a statement a day after the terrorist attack on a water-lifting station east of the Suez Canal in Sinai that left 11 army personell dead and five other injured, Rashwan stressed: "It is imperative for all of us… to continue our confrontation not only against criminal and terrorist operations, but against each and every takfiri and extremist thought that leads to [terrorism] as well."

This confrontation will rely on journalistic and media tools such as pens and cameras, targeting raising the public awareness, in general, and youth awareness, in particular, to reveal the truth of takfiri and extremist ideologies and the terrorist groups and organisations, he added.

Rashwan, who also chairs the State Information Service (SIS), called for raising awareness about the pioneering experience of the Egyptian government confronting the challenges that beset it.

Rashwan urged Egyptian journalists and media professionals to continue sticking to the “national work agenda, which stipulates continued efforts, participation, and dialogue among all Egyptians.”

The syndicate’s chief also called on journalists to “not allow desperate attempts of the forces of evil, extremism and terrorism to distract them from the [national work agenda].”

In a statement on Saturday, the Journalists Syndicate condemned the terrorist attack, reiterating its support for the government to uproot terrorism and hailing the Armed Forces' sacrifices against terrorism.

Saturday's terrorist attack in Sinai resulted in the death of an officer and ten soldiers as well as the injury of five others, according to the Armed Forces.

The Armed Forces asserted that the terrorists that fled the scene of the attack are currently being hunted down and are besieged in an isolated area in Sinai.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, which is the first major terror attack of its kind in recent years.

Terrorist attacks in North Sinai have declined in recent years following massive and successive security and military operations.

These attacks targeted security forces, particularly at military and police checkpoints, as well as civilians, causing hundreds of casualties.

Meanwhile, hundreds of terrorists were killed in anti-terror military operations, according to Armed Forces periodical reports.

In 2018, the Armed Forces launched a major counterterrorist drive, Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018, that has succeeded in near eradication of terrorism from North Sinai as well as the Nile Delta and desert areas.