Militant group “Sinai Province” claimed several attacks on armed forces personnel Thursday, arguing that 18 were killed, in an online statement.
However, local media reported that only five soldiers and one officer were killed in different attacks that targeted armed forces’ positions in Rafah and Al-Arish.
The armed forces spokesperson did not confirm the attacks or the number of casualties. State media did not report the attacks, although Al-Ahram newspaper reported that a heavily attended funeral was held for a conscript in Menufiya.
The militant group said one attack targeted an armed personnel carrier, while another targeted a group of infantry soldiers.
On Wednesday, General Yasser Hafez, deputy security director of North Sinai, was injured in a blast on the international Al-Arish road. However, Hafez, who is the commander of the police forces in Sinai, sustained minor injuries.
