(AFP File Photo)
A group of suspected militants blew up a natural gas pipeline in Sinai on Tuesday. The pipeline, which runs to an industrial area south of the town of Al-Arish, has been bombed 20 times since the 25 January Revolution.
There were no reported casualties, and state-run Al-Ahram reported that security forces are scanning the area for evidence of the attackers.
The pipeline, which runs to a number of cement factories south of the coastal town Al-Arish, has already been bombed four times this year.
Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis, an Al-Qaeda-inspired militant group operating in the lawless Sinai, claimed responsibility for the last pipeline attack, which took place on 27 January. The group has not released a statement claiming responsibility for Tuesday’s attack.
Attacks in Sinai have become more frequent since Mohamed Morsi’s ouster on 3 July. At least two militant groups, Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis and Ajnad Misr, have claimed attacks in Sinai and Cairo.
On 7 February, Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis claimed responsibility for the assassination of General Mohamed Al-Saied, head of the Minister of Interior’s technical office.
The militant group also claimed responsibility for downing a military helicopter in Sinai on 25 January and a massive car bomb that struck a Cairo security headquarters on 24 January.
