CAIRO, Apr 25 (Aswat Masriya) - Security forces are on alert in North Sinai in anticipation of any possible "terrorist" attacks on Saturday which coincides with the Sinai Liberation Day, security sources said.

The Sinai peninsula was liberated from Israeli control in 1982 but is currently at the epicentre of militancy which has surged since July 2013, particularly the northern part.    

Security sources told state news agency MENA that forces are firing warning shots from different checkpoints in the North Sinai capital of al-Arish and other cities. They have also shut down exits and entrances to the governorate.  

Patrols are also monitoring security conditions and are enforcing a curfew that started on Friday evening. The sources added that security forces are continuing combing operations and campaigns that target "terrorist" hotbeds.

Ahead of the anniversary of the liberation day, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Thursday that Sinai faces terrorism that bears "malicious intentions,"  and referred to "battles" waged by the military, in cooperation with the police in Sinai.