Egyptian security forces killed 17 militants in a raid on their hideout in Arish, North Sinai.
Security forces were informed that a group of terrorists were using the hideout in the Obeidat district to carry out attacks targeting police and army personnel, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
The militants exchanged fire with security forces, leading to the death of 11 terrorists. Others fled to an abandoned house in the Hous district and were followed by security forces, resulting in the death of six others.
The militants were found in possession of machine guns, three improvised explosive devices, and two suicide belts.
Earlier this week, the military said it had killed ten terrorists and foiled a terrorist attack on a security checkpoint in North Sinai.
The military forces launched a large counter-terrorism campaign “Comprehensive Operation − Sinai 2018,” following the deadly attack of Al-Rawda mosque which left 305 people dead and at least 128 wounded.
The campaign, which was initiated in 9 February 2018, was against terrorist elements in addition to countering other criminal activities that threaten national security and stability in northern and central Sinai, and parts of the Nile Delta.
Hundreds of security personnel were killed in attacks claimed by militants, while the military killed hundreds of extremists as part of an extensive campaign to crush the militancy in the border region.
