The Egyptian army said in a statement Saturday it had foiled a major terrorist attack in Central Sinai, killing 14 terrorists who attempted to break into camps of the armed forces.

The incident led to eight casualties and 15 injuries among Egyptian armed forces, according to army spokesperson Tamer El-Refai.

“Among the 14 terrorist elements there were four wearing explosive belts and they were all armed with automatic rifles, medium-calibre rifles, and RPGs,” the statement read.

"They all attempted to break into camps of the Egyptian armed forces at dawn on Saturday, but their attempt was foiled," the statement added.

The incident comes amid Egypt's ongoing Operation Sinai 2018, launched “to implement the plan of comprehensive confrontation of terrorist and criminal elements and organisations in North and Central Sinai, and in other areas in the Nile Delta and desert areas west of the Nile Valley,” according to the armed forces.