Egypt’s military and police forces have killed 53 Islamist militants and arrested 680 suspects in a week-long offensive targeted at crushing insurgents that are focused on the Sinai Peninsula.
The operation in retaliation for the Sinai Mosque that killed over 300 people as well as intense action launched by President al-Sisi as he seeks re-election in March.
The military spokesman said that the security operation, which involves the army, navy, air force and police, began last Friday and targeted “terrorist and criminal elements and organizations” in the north and central Sinai, parts of the Nile delta and the western desert.
Moreover, over 1000kg of explosives, 378 militant hideouts and weapon storage facilities including a media center used by the militants were destroyed in operation.
