Attack kills 12 Egyptian soldiers in Sinai

At least eight others injured in assault on checkpoint east of the Suez Canal

EL-ARISH, Egypt — Suspected jihadists attacked an army checkpoint in the Sinai Peninsula Friday, killing at least 12 soldiers, Egyptian security and medical officials said.

The officials said the Friday attack about 50 miles east of the Suez Canal wounded another eight soldiers. They had no word on casualties among the assailants.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Egypt has for years battled terrorists in Sinai, but the insurgency has grown deadlier and spread into the mainland since the 2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. The terrorists are now led by a local affiliate of the Islamic State group.

There has been a recent surge in attacks in Sinai, but attacks elsewhere in Egypt have declined.