Egyptian army launched late on Monday an “extensive operation” in north Sinai to eradicate insurgents, Egyptian national TV reported yesterday.
Local media reported the army saying in a statement that it had killed 29 “terrorists” so far during the operation.
According to the statement, the operation named “Martyr’s Rights” is the largest operation launched against terrorist organisation in recent times, and is based on fresh information.
Egyptian military spokesman Mohamed Samir said: “Army troops along with anti-terror police units killed 29 terrorists and destroyed vehicles and equipment used in criminal operations.”
The statement said an explosive device detonated and killed an army officer and a soldier, while four others were wounded.
Early on Monday, Arabi21 reported security sources saying that an officer and a soldier were killed and six others were wounded in an explosion that targeted their armoured vehicle in northern Sinai.
The sources said that the explosion took place south of the Egyptian Rafah, adding that it was likely carried out by Sinai Province, a group formally known as Ansar Bait Al-Maqdis and which is affiliated with Daesh.
Hundreds of army and police officers have been killed across Sinai in the past two years, while the army claims it has killed hundreds of militants affiliated with Daesh in Sinai.