29-03-2024 12:02 AM Jerusalem Timing

Attacks Kill Police & Civilians in Egypt’s Sinai

Attacks Kill Police & Civilians in Egypt’s Sinai

Missile, mortar and bomb attacks in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula have killed police officers and civilians, military officials say.

Egyptian Army in SinaiMissile, mortar and bomb attacks in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula have killed police officers and civilians, military officials say.

Officials told the Associated Press news agency mortars landed in a residential area south of Sheikh Zuweid on Wednesday, hitting a house and killing nine of its residents.

Sheikh Zuweid lied between the provincial capital, El Arish, and Rafah on the border with Gaza.

In a separate attack, officials said a missile landed on a house in another village, killing two civilians.

In a third attack, outside El Arish, officials said an explosive detonated as a military vehicle drove past, killing two police officers.

The officials spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Egypt has conducted a long-running campaign in Sinai against fighters from the group formerly known as Ansar Beit al-Maqdis but who are now fighting under the banner of ISIL.

Early in April, a series of ambushes targeting the military killed 15 soldiers and two civilians.

The army said 15 of the attackers were also killed  in the clashes.

That was the deadliest attack in Sinai since suicide car bombers and gunmen killed several dozen soldiers at a military base in El Arish in January.