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Egypt military targeted in deadly Sinai attacks | Egypt military targeted in deadly Sinai attacks |
(about 1 hour later) | |
At least 26 people, mostly soldiers, have been killed in a series of attacks by Islamist militants in the north of Egypt's Sinai peninsula. | At least 26 people, mostly soldiers, have been killed in a series of attacks by Islamist militants in the north of Egypt's Sinai peninsula. |
Most of the casualties were in the provincial capital, El-Arish. | Most of the casualties were in the provincial capital, El-Arish. |
Militant group Sinai Province, which changed its named from Ansar Beit al-Maqdis when it pledged allegiance to Islamic State, said it carried out the "extensive, simultaneous" attacks. | Militant group Sinai Province, which changed its named from Ansar Beit al-Maqdis when it pledged allegiance to Islamic State, said it carried out the "extensive, simultaneous" attacks. |
Egypt's president cut short a visit to Ethiopia because of the attacks. | Egypt's president cut short a visit to Ethiopia because of the attacks. |
They represent some of the worst anti-government violence in Egypt for months, and indicate a previously unseen level of co-ordination, correspondents and analysts say. | They represent some of the worst anti-government violence in Egypt for months, and indicate a previously unseen level of co-ordination, correspondents and analysts say. |
The US condemned the attacks, saying it remained "steadfast in its support of the Egyptian government's efforts to combat the threat of terrorism". | The US condemned the attacks, saying it remained "steadfast in its support of the Egyptian government's efforts to combat the threat of terrorism". |
Insurgents have intensified attacks since Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi was ousted in 2013. | Insurgents have intensified attacks since Egypt's Islamist President Mohammed Morsi was ousted in 2013. |
Tensions have also been raised across Egypt this week amid protests marking the anniversary of the 2011 uprising that ousted then-leader Hosni Mubarak. | Tensions have also been raised across Egypt this week amid protests marking the anniversary of the 2011 uprising that ousted then-leader Hosni Mubarak. |
Security officials said rockets were first fired at police offices, a military base and a military hotel in El-Arish, before a car bomb exploded at the rear gate of the military base. Several army checkpoints in the city were also targeted. | Security officials said rockets were first fired at police offices, a military base and a military hotel in El-Arish, before a car bomb exploded at the rear gate of the military base. Several army checkpoints in the city were also targeted. |
Newspaper al-Ahram said its El-Arish office - which is opposite the hotel and base - had been completely destroyed. | Newspaper al-Ahram said its El-Arish office - which is opposite the hotel and base - had been completely destroyed. |
Four soldiers were wounded in an attack at a checkpoint outside El-Arish and an army major was later shot dead at a checkpoint in Rafah, medical and security sources said. | Four soldiers were wounded in an attack at a checkpoint outside El-Arish and an army major was later shot dead at a checkpoint in Rafah, medical and security sources said. |
More than 50 people were wounded in Thursday's attacks. | More than 50 people were wounded in Thursday's attacks. |
North Sinai has been under a state of emergency and a curfew since October, when an attack on a checkpoint killed dozens of soldiers. | North Sinai has been under a state of emergency and a curfew since October, when an attack on a checkpoint killed dozens of soldiers. |
The army has launched major operations to try to quell violence in the region, but has so far failed. | The army has launched major operations to try to quell violence in the region, but has so far failed. |
Sinai Province has become the biggest threat, staging many attacks on security targets. | Sinai Province has become the biggest threat, staging many attacks on security targets. |
The group, which was originally inspired by al-Qaeda but pledged allegiance to Islamic State in November 2014, has called on Egyptians to rebel against President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. | The group, which was originally inspired by al-Qaeda but pledged allegiance to Islamic State in November 2014, has called on Egyptians to rebel against President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. |
President Sisi is the former military chief who led the crackdown on Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood. The Brotherhood has said it rejects violence. | President Sisi is the former military chief who led the crackdown on Mr Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood. The Brotherhood has said it rejects violence. |
Egypt is creating a 1km (0.6-mile) buffer zone along the border with Gaza in a bid to stop militants smuggling weapons in from the Palestinian territory using tunnels. | Egypt is creating a 1km (0.6-mile) buffer zone along the border with Gaza in a bid to stop militants smuggling weapons in from the Palestinian territory using tunnels. |
The project has displaced more than 1,000 families in Rafah and severed an economic lifeline for many Palestinians. | The project has displaced more than 1,000 families in Rafah and severed an economic lifeline for many Palestinians. |
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