Egypt: Army Thwarts Terrorist Attack in N. Sinai

Egyptian army thwarted a “terrorist attack” on a military post on al-Arish-Qantara international road in North Sinai, during which three recruits were injured.

In details, a number of terrorists opened fire on a military post, which prompted the army forces to respond to the source of the attack, thwarting the terrorists from further advancing into the area, security and tribal sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The units, on the outskirts of Musafaq village of Bir al-Abd, tracked the perpetrators who fled deep in the mountainous region towards the south.

Hasan Salam, one of the villagers, reported that he heard gunshots near the post, followed by heavy gunfire, after which ambulances were seen rushing to the scene.

In February 2018, Egyptian army and police launched an operation against the militants in North Sinai to cleanse the region from extremists affiliated with ISIS.

A security source, who declined to be named, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the army forces stationed in Musafaq military post thwarted an armed attack by the terrorists, wounding three recruits who were transferred to Bir al-Abd hospital for treatment.

Bir al-Abd Hospital received 3 recruits of various injuries, confirmed a medical source to Asharq Al-Awsat.

The attack came about three days after five army recruits were injured by shrapnel, when an explosive device planted by gunmen targeted an armored vehicle, south of Bir al-Abd.

In addition, hundreds of Sinai residents attended the funeral of 9 family members of al-Bayadeyya tribe who were killed in an unidentified shelling on their bus. The group was in Tuffaha village and on their way back from olive picking when a shell targeted their bus killing them and injuring 6 others.