Members of the Egyptian Cabinet have marked the anniversary of last year's Al-Rawda Mosque attack in North Sinai by mourning with the victims' families. More than 300 Muslim worshippers from a local Sufi order were killed when militants opened fire during Friday prayers. One year on, the country continues to struggle with its fight against insurgents in the Sinai region. CGTN's Adel El Mahrouky reports.

Of all the horrific attacks Egypt has been seeing since 2013, AL Rawda Mosque's in North Sinai, remains the deadliest. More than 300 were killed, and 120 injured when gunmen attacked worshippers during a Friday prayer. To date it's the first time terrorists dared to attack a mosque, declaring that everyone is a target.

MOSTAFA HAMZA RESEARCHER OF ISLAMIST GROUPS, AL BAWABA NEWS "The attack exposed the ugly nature of ISIL, unlike previous attacks. They used to kill Christians, army and police forces claiming they are all infidels. In Al Rawda however, there is no justification, they killed Muslims while praying. After that attack, most tribes that used to give these militants shelter, have turned their back. They became sure that these groups only want destruction."

In a sign of solidarity to the victims' families, government officials marked the anniversary in the same mosque on Friday, with a rare ministerial visit to North Sinai.

MOSTAFA HAMZA RESEARCHER OF ISLAMIST GROUPS, AL BAWABA NEWS "The purpose of any terrorist attack, is to strike fear among the people. That's the political purpose to destabilize the political regime. The government has promised this won't happen again. The Members of the Cabinet have announced several developmental project in North Sinai. If they are truly implemented, it'll be a knockout for terrorism. Terrorism is every development's enemy."

After the attack, Cairo has launched the biggest counter-terrorism military operation, dubbed as Sinai 2018. Discovering an immense infrastructure of weapons, hideouts and explosives, what was originally announced to be a three months long campaign has been extended indefinitely.

ADEL EL MAHROUKY CAIRO, EGYPT "Al Rawda mosque attack will be engraved as the worst terrorist attack in Egypt's history. It has also changed Egypt's battle against these militant groups. Since that attack the country's prime goal has become to cut lines of supply and resort to developing North Sinai as integral parts of Egypt's Military war on terror. Adel EL Mahrouky, CGTN, Cairo."