Egypt army kills 252 militants in 11 days: Spokesman

Ahram Online , Sunday 12 Jul 2015

63 suspects were also detained, 13 of whom were already wanted by the authorities

Sinai
Egyptian Soldier in Sinai September 2013 (Photo: Reuters)

Egypt’s army spokesperson Bridger General Mohamed Samir announced on Sunday that the army had killed 252 alleged militants in raids in North Sinai between 1 and 11 July.

In a Facebook statement, Samir said that the army had detained 63 suspects during the last eleven days, 13 of whom were already wanted by the authorities.

Forces also damaged 18 militant hideouts, in addition to 29 vehicles and 43 motorcycles.

The army said they were able to dismantle 32 bombs.

In early July, attacks by Islamist militant group Sinai Province (formerly known as Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis), which has announced its allegiance to Islamic State, left at least 21 soldiers dead in Sheikh Zuweid and Rafah cities

Following the deadly attacks, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi visited troops in North Sinai, donning his military uniform for the first time since he took office in June 2014, to show his support for the Egyptian army in the fight against terrorism.

Egypt's military has been combating a decade-long jihadist insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula, with attacks increasing over the past year. Hundreds of soldiers and police have been killed, while the army says it has killed and arrested hundreds of jihadists. Civilians have also been caught in the violence.

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