DHAKA: Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Monday enacted a decree allowing military trials for civilians suspected of attacking state infrastructure, after a string of deadly attacks on soldiers.

The decree came after Sisi promised a tough response to what he called an ‘existential threat’ to Egypt posed by militants, following an attack Friday on an army checkpoint in the Sinai that killed at least 30 soldiers.

It places state infrastructure including electricity towers, major thoroughfares and bridges under military protection for two years, allowing the army to try anyone suspected of attacking the public facilities.

‘Crimes against public institutions, facilities and properties fall under the jurisdiction of the military judiciary,’ the decree states, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 2056 HRS, OCT 27, 2014