Egypt kills 8 Brotherhood members

Egypt’s Interior Ministry yesterday confirmed that its forces have killed eight members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood during a shootout in the country’s southern desert.

According to the ministry, those killed included Helmi Masri Mohareb, a leader who reportedly transported militants across Egypt’s southern border to join training camps in unknown areas and countries.

The security forces pursued the militants and opened fire when they began shooting at them which led to the deaths of the leader and seven other.

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Mohareb was wanted previously for other cases and received the death penalty which awaited approval from the Egypt’s grand Mufti.

According to the statement, the militants were formed based on assignments issued by the Muslim Brotherhood’s leadership abroad where they planned “to form groups to carry out a series of hostile operations in the coming period by sending elements from these groups to join training camps abroad.”

The Brotherhood has denied any involvement in the violence.

The news comes as Egypt destroyed 15 four-by-four vehicles crossing from Libya which it claimed were carrying weapons and other contraband.