Egypt’s army has said it killed 26 “terrorists” in Saturday raids in troubled North Sinai governorate amid its continuing “Martyr’s Right” operation to rid the area of terrorism.

The raids were carried out by members of the Second and Third armies in some parts of Al-Arish, Shiekh Zuweid, Rafah and central Sinai, an army spokesman statement Sunday read.

Five suspects were also arrested, according to the statement, and a number of weapons, explosives, and bullets were seized.

The army’s Operation Martyr’s Right started last September aiming to rid the Sinai Peninsula of a decade-long Islamist militant insurgency that spiked more than two years ago following the ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi. 

It also aims to pave the way for sustainable development in North Sinai.

Authorities have reported over the past two years that hundreds of militants have been killed in army campaigns in the governorate.

Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis, which pledged allegiance to the Islamic State militant group in November 2014, has claimed responsibility for most of the deadly attacks in North Sinai.