Egypt Security Forces Kill 11 Terrorists in Sinai
Egyptian security forces killed 11 terrorist
elements in northern Sinai, said the Interior Ministry on Tuesday.
In a statement, it said it had received information
about insurgents hiding at a farm in the city of el-Arish.
While police forces were hunting the militants, a
shootout ensued and the militants were killed.
It said they had in their possession seven rifles,
two explosive devices and an explosive belt.
According to intelligence from the national security
department, the militants used the hideout as "a base to launch their
hostile operations," it added.
Egypt has for years been fighting an insurgency in
North Sinai, which escalated following the 2013 ouster of president Mohamed
Morsi following mass protests.
Since then, hundreds of police officers and soldiers
have been killed in extremist attacks.
In February 2018, the army launched a nationwide
operation against the militants, focusing mainly on North Sinai.
