An army conscript was killed on Friday evening by anonymous militants in North Sinai’s Rafah in an attack that targeted El-Maswora checkpoint.
The attack resulted in the death of conscript Abdel Qader Reda Ibrahim, 22. His corpse was transferred to the Military Hospital in Al-Arish.
Meanwhile, security forces arrested 18 suspects belonging to the Islamic State-affiliated group “Sinai Province” on Friday. Four of them were involved in planting improvised explosive devices (IED) in Al-Arish, targeting armoured security vehicles. Those mentioned were arrested during a state security campaign executed south of Al-Arish, according to state media.
During the same campaign, security forces succeeded in detonating three IEDs that were prepared to target armoured vehicles at Bir El-Hafn checkpoint. Forces also detonated three other IEDs planted south of Al-Arish, according to state-run Akhbar Al-Youm.
Clashes between security forces and “Sinai Province” militants have intensified recently as security forces continue the Martyr’s Right operation. IEDs are being detonated nearby checkpoints and armoured vehicles on a near daily basis.
Rafah is one of the North Sinai cities where militants are based, in addition to Sheikh Zuweid and Al-Arish. Residents there have long complained about the infrastructure and services provided by the government, as well as the absence of vital services such as health care and proper education.
