Egypt: Dozens militants killed in Sinai clashes

By Khaled al-Jayoushi

CAIRO

Dozens militants were reportedly killed in clashes with Egyptian army forces in the restive Sinai Peninsula on Friday, according to a local security source.

The violence broke out when militants tried to seize a hill overlooking the North Sinai’s cities of Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid, the source told Anadolu Agency.

“Army forces repelled the attack and killed 24 militants,” the source added anonymously as he was unauthorized to speak to media. There was no comment from the Egyptian military on the report.

Since mid-2013, when Mohamed Morsi -- Egypt’s first freely-elected president -- was ousted in a military coup, the Sinai Peninsula has been roiled by insurgency, which left hundreds of Egyptian security personnel dead.

The Egyptian security forces, meanwhile, continue to wage a fierce campaign -- involving elements from both the police and the army -- against what they describe as Sinai-based "terrorist groups".

Egypt’s army-backed authorities say they are battling the Welayat Sinai (Province of Sinai) group, which is said to have links to the Daesh terrorist organization.

By Khaled al-Jayoushi

CAIRO

Dozens militants were reportedly killed in clashes with Egyptian army forces in the restive Sinai Peninsula on Friday, according to a local security source.

The violence broke out when militants tried to seize a hill overlooking the North Sinai’s cities of Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid, the source told Anadolu Agency.

“Army forces repelled the attack and killed 24 militants,” the source added anonymously as he was unauthorized to speak to media. There was no comment from the Egyptian military on the report.

The Egyptian security forces, meanwhile, continue to wage a fierce campaign -- involving elements from both the police and the army -- against what they describe as Sinai-based "terrorist groups".

Egypt’s army-backed authorities say they are battling the Welayat Sinai (Province of Sinai) group, which is said to have links to the Daesh terrorist organization.