File Photo: Egyptian Army soldiers patrol in an armored vehicle backed by a helicopter gunship during a sweep through villages in Sheikh Zuweyid, North Sinai (Photo: Reuters)
Four police personnel and three civilians including a six-year-old boy were killed and at least 26 others were injured in a suicide bombing on Tuesday afternoon in a Sheikh Zuweid market in North Sinai governorate, Egypt's interior ministry said.
According to the ministry, a 15-year-old suicide bomber detonated explosives at a security checkpoint in the local market in the heart of Sheikh Zuweid city.
Two police officers and two low-ranking policemen were killed in the attack.
The injured have been transferred to a nearby hospital to receive treatment.
Security forces from the police and Armed Forces are currently sweeping the area.
The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing in a statement published online. The terrorist organisation said that the attack was revenge for recent operations against the group in Syria.
The military has been carrying out Operation Sinai 2018, a counter-terrorism campaign, since February 2018. The campaign involves land, naval and air forces, as well as the police and border guards.
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