Egyptian Islamic Jihad is a militant Islamist organization founded in the late 1970s in Egypt. Its primary goal is to establish an Islamic state governed by Sharia law and to oppose Western influence in the region. The group gained notoriety for its involvement in violent acts, including assassinations and attacks against government officials and foreign tourists. In the 1990s, Egyptian Islamic Jihad merged with other extremist groups, further expanding its reach. The organization has been linked to Al-Qaeda and has participated in various terrorist activities, both in Egypt and abroad. Over the years, many of its leaders have been arrested or killed, impacting its operational capabilities.