Egypt's army said Sunday it has killed 16 jihadists and detained 34 more on the Sinai Peninsula since launching a major operation against them on Friday. Cairo says it's planned to be the biggest operation in years. Details of the magnitude and the duration of it have not been disclosed yet, but according to a military statement on Sunday morning, there's been progress. Here is Adel EL Mahrouky with more.

The Egyptian Armed Forces is unleashing all its might. From the air, sea and land all its brand new military hardware is being used to launch continuous attacks against militant hideouts and weapons warehouses since Friday, in what has been branded as the biggest military operation against terrorism. It's calling it Sinai 2018.

SALAH AL BALOUK POLITICAL ANALYST, AL WATAN NEWS "Since 2011 and we've witnessed many military operations against terrorism. This, however, is the first comprehensive operation. It's like a state of war, real war. We are approaching the presidential elections and it would be very dangerous to enter the vote with significant achievements in the terrorism file. People have been suffering from these militants, who killed more than 700 civilians in the Sinai."

The Army spokesman says it's a nation-wide military operation that focuses on Central and North Sinai - strong hold areas for militant groups as ISIL- Other major cities North of Egypt as well as the Western desert are also included in the attacking zones.

SALAH AL BALOUK POLITICAL ANALYST, AL WATAN NEWS "This operation comes to execute President's EL Sisi's order of terminating terrorism in the Sinai in 90 days, 70 of which have passed. The operation is also a response to all those who claimed that the Egyptian government don't want or can't eradicate terrorism. For almost two thirds of the deadline the Army has been gathering information so it can avoid civilian injuries."

On Sunday morning the Military spokesman said that the air forces strike 66 militants' hideouts. 14 gunmen have been killed and 34 suspects arrested. 12 explosive devices were found and diffused.

ADEL EL MAHROUKY CAIRO, EGYPT "With the Presidential Election just few weeks away, critiques have seen Operation Sinai 2018 as a government propaganda ahead of the vote. Security analysts on the other hand argue that it aims secure the election. In any case, experts agree that it must be followed by comprehensive development in the Sinai to put a real end to the Sinai insurgency. AMA CGTN CA."