Egyptian military killed 77 terrorists in northern Sinai

The Egyptian military has killed 77 militants in anti-terrorism operations conducted from July 22 to August 30 as part of a crackdown against Islamist extremists in the northern Sinai Peninsula, the General Command of the Egyptian Armed Forces (EAF) said Sunday, cited by outlet Arab News.

Two other militants killed during the operation, considered “extremely dangerous” individuals, the report noted, were found in possession of two automatic rifles, five magazines of ammunition and an explosive belt.

In another such operation, two other militants were killed and another was injured. They had four automatic rifles, ammunition, explosives, a motorcycle and sums of money in their possession.

The Egyptian Airforce destroyed a total of 317 dens, hideouts and stores where explosive devices were situated, as well as 10 vehicles loaded with weapons and ammunition.

A total of three officers and four soldiers were killed in the operations.

A report by Al Jazeera on Sunday said that eight Egyptian soldiers, including three officers, were killed in a Sinai IED (improvised explosive device) blast.

The northern Sinai Peninsula has been a hot spot for terrorist activities for years.

The Islamic State group has been reportedly operating in the region, as various groups have engaged in the smuggling arms into Gaza and staging attacks against Egyptian forces in the area.

Source: Ynet News