Egypt claims Monday an investigation into the downing of a Russian plane Oct. 31 over the Sinai Peninsula hasn’t turned up any evidence of terrorism.
The civil aviation ministry in Egypt says its initial findings don’t point to criminal activity, Reuters reports.
Nevertheless, the crash absolutely devastated Egypt’s tourism industry, which the country relies on to continue importing wheat. Egypt is the largest importer of wheat in the world and is currently in the middle of a population boom. Without tourism, food security could be on the ropes. Malnutrition is already a problem in the country.
This may endanger the legitimacy of Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s regime, as he took power largely on the promise he will restore stability. However, the possibility of wavering food security and terrorism behind Airbus 321 may lead to Sisi’s downfall. Still another problem is that Sisi has so far been unable to quell Islamic State-affiliated insurgencies in the Sinai area. (RELATED: Egyptian President Gives Surprisingly Honest Answer In Bizarre Boast Against ISIS)
This is perhaps why Egypt is moving to contradict outside governments which immediately pointed to terrorism. European investigators say a non-accidental explosion brought down the aircraft after analyzing flight recorders.
Metrojet-operated Airbus A321 broke apart in the air, killing 224 people. Both Russia and Western governments call the incident an act of terrorism. After the crash, ISIS claimed responsibility, saying it smuggled a 2.2 pound TNT bomb aboard the aircraft in a soda can.
In November, ISIS published a photo of the soda can bomb in its magazine. The bomb was reportedly in response to Russian airstrikes on Syria.
Russia and the United Kingdom have since suspended flights to the region. It is unclear when the two will lift that suspension. Russia offered a reward of $50 million for any information about those who took out the aircraft.
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