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Egypt bomb strikes Sinai intelligence HQ in Rafah Egypt bomb strikes Sinai intelligence HQ in Rafah
(about 1 hour later)
A car bomb has hit Egypt's intelligence headquarters in the Sinai peninsula, killing four people, reports say. A car bomb has hit Egypt's intelligence headquarters in the Sinai peninsula, killing at least three soldiers, reports say.
More than 10 people were wounded in the attack on the building in Rafah, on Egypt's border with the Gaza Strip. Twenty other people were wounded in the attack on the building in Rafah, on Egypt's border with the Gaza Strip.
A second blast hit a nearby army checkpoint. It is unclear whether anyone was hurt.A second blast hit a nearby army checkpoint. It is unclear whether anyone was hurt.
Sinai has seen a sharp increase in militant attacks since the army deposed Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in early July. Sinai has seen a steep increase in militant attacks since the army deposed Islamist President Mohammed Morsi.
A suicide bomber drove a car at high speed into the one-storey army building, burying a number of troops under the debris, the Associated Press reported citing local officials. A suicide bomber drove a car at high speed into the one-storey army building, burying a number of people under the debris, Associated Press reported.
Eyewitnesses said the powerful explosion shattered the windows of other buildings in the Imam Ali area in Rafah. Witnesses told the BBC that a body had been found inside the car.
The powerful explosion sent a plume of smoke rising from the building at around 0800 local time (06:00 GMT), shattering windows in the Imam Ali area in Rafah.
The security headquarters is considered the most important intelligence office in North Sinai.
Shortly afterwards, militants targeted an army checkpoint, firing rocket-propelled grenades, reports said.Shortly afterwards, militants targeted an army checkpoint, firing rocket-propelled grenades, reports said.
Army crackdownArmy crackdown
The attacks come just days after at least nine Islamist militants were killed in a major military offensive near the towns of Rafah and Sheikh Zuweyid.The attacks come just days after at least nine Islamist militants were killed in a major military offensive near the towns of Rafah and Sheikh Zuweyid.
On 7 September, army helicopters carried out air strikes aimed at destroying weapons caches, vehicles and hideouts, in what was said to be the biggest operation of its kind in recent years in the area.On 7 September, army helicopters carried out air strikes aimed at destroying weapons caches, vehicles and hideouts, in what was said to be the biggest operation of its kind in recent years in the area.
The army has accused Mr Morsi of being too lenient toward militant activity in the region, after he released Islamists from prison and vetoed military operations in Sinai.The army has accused Mr Morsi of being too lenient toward militant activity in the region, after he released Islamists from prison and vetoed military operations in Sinai.
Analysts say the army's crackdown down on Mr Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood is adding impetus to militants in the northern desert. Egypt's first democratically-elected president was removed from office by the military on 3 July after mass street protests against him.
His ousting polarised Egyptian society and plunged the country into a new period of bloodshed and political uncertainty.
Two pro-Morsi camps in Cairo were broken up by security forces on 14 August, killing hundreds of his supporters. Dozens of security personnel also died in Egypt's bloodiest day since the pro-democracy uprising two years ago ejected long-time president Hosni Mubarak.
Analysts say the army's crackdown on Mr Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood is adding impetus to militants in the northern desert.
Military deployments in the peninsula are subject to the 1979 peace treaty between Israel and Egypt.Military deployments in the peninsula are subject to the 1979 peace treaty between Israel and Egypt.
An agreement between the two neighbours has been reached on Egyptian forces being bolstered by an additional mechanised brigade, additional tanks, commando units and Apache helicopters.