Egypt’s Air Force foiled on Monday an attempt to smuggle arms and ammunition into the country through its border with Libya, the military spokesperson said in a statement on Monday.

The operation was part of raids and search operations along the border region to track the terrorists involved in the Friday clash between security forces and terrorist fighters in the Western Desert, which saw 16 security personnel killed and 13 injured. Fifteen terrorists were also killed in the shootout, according to the interior ministry.

The operation by the Air Force saw the destruction of eight vehicles carrying arms, ammunition, and explosive materials, as well as the killing of the drivers of the vehicles.

Egypt's 1,000 kilometre-long border with Libya has been a hotspot for arms smuggling since the fall of Libyan regime of Muammar Gaddafi regime in 2011.