One militant was killed in a confrontation with military personnel in North Sinai and 100kg of explosive material were found in Sheikh Zuweid, according to military spokesman Brigadier General Mohamed Samir. The spokesman further noted that another militant committed suicide.
The confrontations come as part of the continued pre-emptive strikes against militants in North Sinai. The armed forces launched similar strikes on militants on Wednesday last week, killing seven of them.
The pre-emptive strike thwarted a “terrorist attack”, according to a previous statement by the military spokesman
On the same day, an explosion occurred in Al-Arish killing a police officer and injuring three conscripts.
The armed forces have been engaged in a “war” against terrorism since the ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.
Hundreds on both sides were killed as a result. However the armed forces aim to continue within the framework of “eliminating terrorism” in the area of North Sinai.
Security measures have been taken to counter the rising insurgency in East Al-Arish, Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid. These include the implementation of a limited state of emergency and the creation of a buffer zone along the border with the Gaza strip.
The Rafah border crossing was opened from Saturday until Friday for seven consecutive days, for the first time since Morsi’s ouster.
