Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said that the threat of terrorism was at the top of challenges faced by his country during the past years.

Sisi was addressing military graduates on the anniversary of the revolution of July 23rd, 1952.

“The threat of terrorism was at the forefront of the challenges we faced over the past years, but thanks to the sacrifices of the great Egyptian army and its valiant police, we were able to besiege it, destroy its infrastructure and defeat extremists’ hotbeds,” he said.

Egypt has been witnessing since the ousting of former President Mohamed Morsi, in 2013, terrorist attacks targeting mainly the army and police forces, killing hundreds of people. Most of these attacks are limited in the north of the Sinai Peninsula, but some have extended to Cairo and other cities.

Sisi said that the graduation ceremony came in conjunction with the anniversary of the July Revolution, “which represents the beginning of a new phase in the Egyptian history.”

“It defended the nation’s future… making a radical change in the history of modern Egypt,” he stressed, referring to late President Gamal Abdel-Nasser’s revolution.

The president also praised the Egyptian people for their steadfastness and commitment to preserve their country throughout all difficult stages.

“We are continuing with the reforms, we have adopted a promising comprehensive reform plan focused on building the national economy, we have made accomplishments that are recognized by the whole world,” Sisi said, adding that the Egyptian people were the real heroes behind these achievements.