Islamic State kills at least 6 Bedouins in Sinai ambush

Members of the Islamic State terror group kill at least six Bedouins in an ambush for their alleged collaboration with the Egyptian military in the country’s restive Sinai Peninsula, Egyptian security officials say.

The ambush took place in the mountainous Maghara area in central Sinai when members of a local IS affiliate established a fake checkpoint and opened fire on two vehicles carrying Bedouins, the officials say. They say a seventh Bedouin is missing following the attack.

Egypt has been battling militants in the northern part of Sinai Peninsula for years. Violence and instability there intensified after the 2013 military ouster of Mohammed Morsi, an elected but divisive Islamist president amid nationwide protests against his brief rule. The militants carried out numerous attacks, mainly targeting security forces, minority Christians and those they accuse of collaborating with the military and police.