“Sinai Province” published a video claiming responsibility for two attacks that purportedly occurred Monday in Sinai by publishing photos on its social media account.
In the first instance, the “Islamic State”-affiliated group published documentary evidence putatively showing an explosion that occurred when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near an armoured personnel vehicle south of Sheikh Zuweid city in the North Sinai governorate.
In the second instance, the militant group published photos allegedly showing the official uniforms, laptops and explosive detection devices of the Egyptian armed forces. The photos were provided as documentation of a raid on an armed forces’ checkpoint in Central Sinai. The photos also showed the identification documents of army officer Mahmoud Salah.
In a separate incident, a low-ranking police officer was reported assassinated by militants in front of the Al-Arish police department.
The Ministry of the Interior confirmed the officer’s death in an official statement issued Monday: “On Monday morning, anonymous militants opened fire on low-ranking police officer Mohamed Sayed Hafez from the North Sinai Police Department, while the officer was stationed at Al-Arish second police department. Officer Hafez was killed in the attack.”
Sinai has become the scene of frequent clashes between militants and state security forces; an extensive counter-insurgency operation was launched to curb militancy within Sinai. These operations have imposed a state of emergency in the northern regions of the peninsula.
