CAIRO: At least 98 suspected militants were killed in North Sinai Saturday, the Egyptian armed forces stated.
On Friday, the fifth day of the “Martyr’s Right” military operation launched Monday in North Sinai, “security forces arrested four suspects, defused 13 explosive devices, destroyed four vehicles and seven motorbikes used by the militants,” military spokesperson Mohamed Samir said in a statement.
In a Friday statement, Samir announced a total of 48 suspected militants were killed and 22 bombs dismantled since the operation started Monday in North Sinai cities of Arish, Rafah and Sheikh Zuwayed.
A suicide car bomb attack in northern Sinai has killed a 61-year-old man and his two children inside their home Friday. Associated Press reported citing an Egyptian security official.
Egypt has witnessed a significant rise in militancy since the military-backed ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 following mass protests against his rule. According to the Interior Ministry, militant attacks have killed more than 500 security personnel since then.