(AFP File Photo)
The armed forces announced Saturday the killing of 35 “terrorists” during the pursuit of militants after attacks launched on several checkpoints Thursday, leaving 16 security personnel dead.
Ongoing clashes between security forces and Sinai-based militants in Al-Arish, Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid resulted in the deaths and injury of many on both sides.
Sinai based militant group “State of Sinai” launched an attack on seven checkpoints on the Al-Arish-Rafah road, and killed “tens” of security personnel. They also seized two military vehicles and weapons, according to a Friday statement by the group claiming the attack.
The group posted several photos on their official Twitter account whilst launching the attacks.
The armed forces posted a video of army personnel “combing the area” with military vehicles and helicopters.
The militant group claimed in their statement to have targeted an army Apache helicopter, which the army responded to by launching “random airstrikes” that reportedly hit civilians.
North Sinai residents confirmed the death of at least three civilians, however reports on numbers exceeding 10 circulated in media outlets.
Families of the deceased will be given EGP 5,000, and EGP 3,000 will be given to the injured, said North Sinai Governor Abdel Fattah Harhour.
The armed group has claimed the North Sinai attacks, the most recent of which was launched on 29 January. This left at least 30 security personnel dead and targeted high-profile security facilities while the group claimed to have killed “hundreds”.
