Seventeen “terrorist elements” were killed during an exchange of fire between militants and security personnel in Sinai between 13 and 15 December, a military spokesman said in a statement Tuesday.
The statement read that 11 others, who participated in implementing terrorist attacks against the armed forces and policemen, were arrested.
The arrests come within the framework of the armed forces aiming to “ultimately eliminate terrorism”.
Egyptian military operations have been on the rise since a 24 October attack that left at least 30 security personnel dead. Sinai-based group Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis claimed responsibility for the attack in November.
President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi noted following the attack that “foreign elements” supported the attack. He added however that a military confrontation against what he called “terrorists” will take place, where casualties are expected.
Accordingly, heightened security measures were taken to “face terrorism” including closing down of Egypt-Gaza border crossing, imposing the emergency law in North Sinai and establishing a ‘secure zone’.
