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Egypt bomb strikes Sinai intelligence HQ in Rafah Suicide bomb attacks in Egypt's Sinai kill six
(about 2 hours later)
A car bomb has hit Egypt's intelligence headquarters in the Sinai peninsula, killing at least three soldiers, reports say. At least six soldiers have been killed in a double suicide bomb attack in Egypt's Sinai peninsula, officials say.
Twenty other people were wounded in the attack on the building in Rafah, on Egypt's border with the Gaza Strip. Another 10 soldiers and seven civilians were wounded by the blasts outside the military intelligence headquarters in Rafah and at a nearby checkpoint.
A second blast hit a nearby army checkpoint. It is unclear whether anyone was hurt. A military spokesman blamed "Islamist terrorist elements" for the violence.
Sinai has seen a steep increase in militant attacks since the army deposed Islamist President Mohammed Morsi. The military has launched an offensive in the Sinai to deal with a rise in attacks since it ousted Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July.
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. On Tuesday, troops backed by helicopter gunships raided hideouts of al-Qaeda-inspired groups in the villages of al-Mahdiya and Naga Shabana, south of Rafah, killing nine militants, arresting 10 others and seizing weapons and ammunition, military officials said.
Witnesses told the BBC that a body had been found inside the car. At least 29 militants are reported to have been killed since military operations began in northern Sinai on Saturday.
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. Crackdown
The security headquarters is considered the most important intelligence office in North Sinai. The first suicide bomber drove a car at high speed into the intelligence headquarters in the Imam Ali area of Rafah at around 0800 local time (06:00 GMT), burying a number of people under the debris.
Shortly afterwards, militants targeted an army checkpoint, firing rocket-propelled grenades, reports said. The powerful explosion shattered windows and sent a plume of smoke rising from the building.
Army crackdown Shortly afterwards, another suicide bomber blew up an explosives-filled car next to an army checkpoint. There were also reports that rocket-propelled grenades were fired.
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 army has accused Mr Morsi of being too lenient toward militant activity in the Sinai, after he released Islamists from prison and vetoed military operations.
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. Egypt's first democratically elected president was removed from office by the military on 3 July after mass street protests against him.
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.
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.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. 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.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 Sinai 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.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.