Egypt security forces kill 14 jihadists in Sinai raid

Egyptian security forces have killed 14 Islamist terrorists in an exchange of fire in the country’s turbulent northern Sinai region, the interior ministry says.

The jihadists were under surveillance ahead of security forces raiding their hideout in the town of El-Arish, the ministry says in a statement.

An exchange of fire lasting several hours killed eight militants, the ministry says without detailing when the raid took place. The other six attempted to flee but were killed in a police chase.

The terrorists were suspected of planning attacks on “important and vital facilities,” armed forces and police personnel, the interior ministry says.

Egypt has for years been battling an insurgency in North Sinai, which upsurged following the 2013 military ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi.

Hundreds of police and soldiers have since been killed in militant attacks.

Security forces have since February been conducting a major operation focused on the Sinai Peninsula, aimed at wiping out a local affiliate of the Islamic State terror group which is spearheading the insurgency.

— AFP