WASHINGTON
The U.S. denounced deadly terrorist attacks against Egyptian forces in North Sinai on Wednesday.
"The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attacks against Egyptian security forces in North Sinai this morning, which killed dozens of Egyptian personnel and injured many others," said National Security Council spokesman Ned Price. "We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and the government and people of Egypt, and wish for a speedy recovery for those who were injured."
He added that the U.S. would stand with Egypt "amidst the spate of terrorist attacks that have afflicted the country."
At least 70 Egyptian soldiers were killed in a wave of militant attacks, including at least one suicide bombing, in the northern Sinai Peninsula.
Militants armed with rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) attacked at least 10 security checkpoints and a police station in the North Sinai province.
A group affiliated with the Daesh militant group, named the Welayet Sinai (Province of Sinai) group said via Twitter that its militants had attacked more than 15 security checkpoints in North Sinai.
Egypt has been dogged by instability ever since as authorities carried out a relentless crackdown on dissent that has mainly targeted supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi and his organization, the Muslim Brotherhood. The measures have lefts hundreds dead and thousands behind bars.
Egyptian Prosecutor General Hisham Barakat was killed in a car bomb, earlier this week.
Just hours after the Wednesday attack, nine members of the Muslim Brotherhood were killed in a raid by Egyptian security forces on a house in Western Cairo.
