Islamic militants kill two Egyptian soldiers in Sinai
Soldiers machine-gunned while patrolling on foot in town near Gaza border
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleELARISH, Egypt (AP) — An Egyptian security official says Islamist militants have shot to death two soldiers in the Sinai Peninsula, close to the border with the Gaza Strip.
The official says bearded men in the short robes favored by some Islamists machine-gunned the soldiers as they were walking on foot on Thursday in Sheikh Zweid town. He says one of the soldiers had his arm severed from his body by the intensity of the shooting.
The official described the attack as “an act of terrorism” by “jihadists who want to declare an Islamic emirate in the Sinai.” He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.
Militants inspired by al-Qaida are waging a low-level insurgency against the Egyptian security forces in the lawless desert peninsula.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
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