Egypt’s army said on Sunday it killed four takfiris in Sinai and arrested over 250 wanted criminals and suspects in security operations over the past few days.
The air force killed a number of takfiris after taregting two terrorist hideouts in north Sinai, the army said in a statement.
Another militant, who was found to be in possession of large sums of money and illegal narcotics, was also killed, said army spokesman Tamer al-Rifai.
In total, more than 100 militants and at least 22 soldiers have been killed since the launch of the operation “Sinai 2018,” according to official figures.
In his statement on Sunday, Rifai stressed that Egyptian forces destroyed and seized 46 vehicles of different types and 114 motorcycles “used by terrorists” without license plates.
As for the terrorist bases, the spokesman said that 386 hideouts and weapons depots have been destroyed.
Rifai added that the army engineering unit disposed of 30 explosive devices planted to target Egyptian forces in their area of operations. They also destroyed a number of tunnels in the vicinity of Rafah city, while 250 wanted criminals and suspects were arrested.
The operations carried out by the army are highly supported by the president and government. Egypt is fighting an ISIS affiliate militant group in the northern Sinai Peninsula, known as “Sinai State”, that has been targeting the army, police and civilians since 2013 and has launched attacks in several parts of the country.
Egypt is also fighting a smaller terrorist organization belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood, which authorities consider a terrorist organization.
The military spokesman addressed the living conditions in North Sinai and announced that the armed forces continue to send food aid to the area to alleviate the suffering of the residents.
Rifai pointed out that the naval forces continue to secure maritime routes, protect strategic areas and cut terrorists’ sea supply lines.
The coast guards also continue to organize joint patrols with the police.
