Egyptian security forces have carried out separate operations in Egypt’s violence-plagued Sinai Peninsula, killing nearly a dozen militants.
Security sources said at least 11 militants were killed and four others arrested when government troops raided militant hideouts in the town of Sheikh Zuweid as well as the border town of Rafah on Saturday, Arabic-language newspaper al-Dustour reported.
Egyptian soldiers also seized seven unlicensed motorbikes used by the militants and 12 cylinders modified to be used as explosive devices as well as other equipment.
On June 20, army tanks and artillery units pounded the bases of the militants from the Velayat Sinai group, previously known as Ansar Bait al-Maqdis, south of the town of Sheikh Zuweid, killing 15 militants. Another 20 militants sustained injuries during the operations.
The Egyptian military views the Sinai Peninsula a sanctuary for extremists.
Gunmen have intensified attacks in Sinai ever since Mohamed Morsi, Egypt’s first democratically-elected president, was toppled in a military coup in July 2013.
Velayat Sinai has claimed responsibility for most of the attacks in Sinai Peninsula. Last November, the group pledged allegiance to Daesh, which is now wreaking havoc mainly in Iraq and neighboring Syria.
