Egypt’s interim Prime Minister Hazem El-Beblawi declares the government’s support of the armed forces in its war on "terrorism" in Sinai and hails the efforts of the area’s residents to assist the military, announces government Spokesperson Sherif Shawky on Sunday.

The statement comes a day after the army launched an attack on what it described as "terrorist sites" in North Sinai, reportedly killing 15-17 militants in Sheikh Zuweid.

The desert Sinai Peninsula has experienced a security vacuum since the fall of president Hosni Mubarak's regime in 2011.

Militants escalated its attacks on police and army sites in the peninsula after the army deposed president Mohamed Morsi on 3 July amid protests against him.

Last week, the army announced it arrested 103 "terrorists," which are currently being interrogated, and that 60 were killed in its crackdown on terrorism during the period from 5 July to 4 August.