News / Egypt

Egypt military kills over 58 militants across Sinai in three days

Sunday, 22 May 2016 4:35 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 22 May 2016 5:17 PM ]

Egyptian army special forces man a temporary checkpoint outside Sharm el-Sheikh airport on November 11, 2015. (AFP photo)

Egyptian security forces have conducted a series of fresh raids against the hideouts of militants in the North African country’s restive Sinai Peninsula, killing at least 58 terrorists over three days.

Egyptian security officials said that at least seven armed men were killed in clashes North Sinai on Sunday.

Three militants, including a ringleader, were killed when security forces raided their hideout in south Rafah, while four others were killed when troops attacked their positions in el-Arish's al-Jurah district and the town of Berth.

Also on Friday, at least 51 militants were killed after Egyptian military supported by the air force conducted massive raids against the militant positions in north and central Sinai. According to Egyptian security sources, 43 of them were killed in and around Arish, Sheikh Zuwaid and Rafah, while six others were killed in the mountainous Halal region in central Sinai. Two others were also killed while they were attempting to target a security patrol south of Sheikh Zuwaid.

Two top militant commanders are among those killed in the massive security operations.

Egyptian forces also destroyed 12 buildings along with a farm used by militants as bases to carry out attacks across the troubled region.

They also managed to destroy four trucks, five motorbikes and a huge fuel dump belonging to the militants.

A member of the Egyptian security forces stands guard next to a damaged bus following a roadside bomb blast which on the outskirts of North Sinai’s provincial capital of Arish on July 9, 2015. ©AFP

Meanwhile, four roadside bombs planted by extremists south of Sheikh Zuwaid and Rafah were defused.

In recent years, Egyptian troops have been engaged in efforts to quell rampant militancy across the Sinai Peninsula.

The battle has led to the deaths of hundreds of troops and militants, including those with the Takfiri Velayat Sinai group.

In October 2014, a state of emergency was declared across the whole peninsula following a deadly terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 33 soldiers.

Previously known as Ansar Bait al-Maqdis, the outfit has pledged allegiance to the Daesh terror group, which is mainly active in Iraq and Syria.

The militants also claimed responsibility for shooting down a Russian plane in a mountainous area of Sinai Peninsula in late October last year.

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