“The Coptic Orthodox Church headed by Pope Tawadros II mourns the martyrs of the nation, the heroes and sons of the Egyptian Armed Forces who were martyred on Saturday while protecting their positions against a traitorous terrorist attack in West Sinai,” the statement said.

“As we condole our nation Egypt in its great loss, we value the great sacrifice these heroes presented and we assert our support to our brave Armed Forces that counter terrorism always beside the Egyptian police,” the Church said, adding that it was asking from God condolences to the families of the victims and recovery for the injured.

The Egyptian Armed Forces announced the attack by takfiri terrorists on Saturday evening, which killed one officer, and ten soldiers and injured another five.

The remaining terrorists are currently being hunted down and are besieged in one of the isolated areas in Sinai, the statement added.