Egypt kills 53 militants

Monitoring Desk

CAIRO: Egyptian security forces now deployed in the Sinai Peninsula have killed 53 militants and arrested 685 others – including some foreign nationals — over the last six days, according to military sources.

Speaking at a Thursday press conference, army spokesman Tamer al-Rifai said 137 “militant targets” had been destroyed, 53 militants killed and five other militants arrested since the army began a wide-ranging operation last Friday in the restive peninsula.

Another 680 people, “including criminals and individuals suspected of supporting militant groups”, had been arrested over the same period, al-Rifai said.

Egyptian security forces have also destroyed three tunnel entrances near the border with Gaza, 378 “hideouts”, 177 explosive devices, 1,500 kilograms of C4 explosive material and “large quantities” of TNT, according to the army spokesman. (AA)