Egypt's armed forces foil attack, kill 14 terrorists

Cairo: The Egyptian army today said it has foiled a major terror attack in the restive central Sinai region by shooting dead 14 terrorists who attempted to break into camps of the armed forces and killed 8 Army personnel.

The incident led to eight casualties and 15 injuries among Egyptian forces, Army spokesperson Tamer El-Refai was quoted as saying by Al-Ahram.

The incident comes amid Egypt's ongoing Operation Sinai 2018, launched "to implement the plan of comprehensive confrontation of terrorist and criminal elements and organisations in North and Central Sinai, and in other areas in the Nile Delta and desert areas west of the Nile Valley," according to the armed forces.

“Among the 14 terrorist elements there were four wearing explosive belts and they were all armed with automatic rifles, medium-calibre rifles, and RPGs,” the statement read.

"They all attempted to break into camps of the Egyptian armed forces at dawn on Saturday, but their attempt was foiled," the statement added. Egypt's Sinai has witnessed many terrorists’ attacks since the January 2011 revolution.

The attacks, mainly targeting police and military, increased after ouster of Islamist ex-president Mohamed Morsi in 2013 by military following massive protests against his rule.

Hundreds of police and army personnel were killed since then. The military has launched security campaigns in the North Sinai area, in which some terrorists are based.

The security forces have arrested suspects and demolished houses that belong to terrorists, including those facilitating tunnels leading to the Gaza Strip.