12 Egyptian soldiers killed in Sinai

Suspected Daesh gunmen killed 12 members of Egypt’s military in North Sinai province and wounded six more in an attack on a checkpoint yesterday, the military said, adding that it killed 15 militants in return.

The incident took place 40 kilometres from the town of Bir Al-Abd, making it the first major attack in the central Sinai area, which had so far escaped the militants’ campaign.

It was carried out using assault rifles and some heavier weapons, medical and security sources said. The wounded were taken to hospital in Al-Arish.

“An armed group of terrorist elements attacked a security checkpoint in North Sinai this morning using four-wheel drives and were immediately engaged. Our forces killed 15 terrorists,” the military said in a statement. “The clashes led to the martyrdom of 12 and injury of six armed forces heroes.”