CAIRO - Islamist militants in Egypt’s volatile Sinai Peninsula have increased the number and range of their attacks on military targets as they push to undermine Egypt’s top army official, and ultimately pursue an Islamist state.

Terrorist attacks throughout and beyond Sinai increased after newly promoted Field Marshal Abdel Fatah el-Sissi won the military’s endorsement to run for president, analysts note. Because of the field marshal’s widespread popularity, he likely would win the election, which must be held by mid-April, and would have a good chance of reuniting Egypt’s fractious population of 85 million.

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