Egypt says security forces kill 11 terrorists in Sinai

Egypt’s official news agency said Wednesday that security forces killed at least 11 suspected terrorists in a shootout in the northern Sinai Peninsula.

MENA quoted an unnamed security official as saying that the fighting erupted when forces raided a hideout in the city of el-Arish. It said security forces dismantled two explosive devices and seized weapons.

It did not say when the raid took place or whether any security forces were killed or wounded. Egypt heavily restricts media access to the northern Sinai.

Egypt has been battling jihadists for years, but the Sinai-based insurgency gained strength after the 2013 overthrow of elected but divisive Islamist president Mohammed Morsi.

More than 200 suspected terrorists and at least 35 soldiers have been killed since Egypt launched operation “Sinai 2018” to rid the peninsula of Islamic extremists in February, according to the military.

Last week, the Egyptian army said its forces killed three terrorists and destroyed tunnels at Rafah on the Gaza border as part of the campaign.

Human Rights Watch says Egypt has stepped up its demolitions of homes, businesses, and farms in the Sinai since launching the campaign on February 9.

The army says that local people in the Sinai support its operation and receive humanitarian aid.