Local Sinai journalist Ahmed Abou Deraa has told Daily News Egypt that a military campaign was launched on Tuesday against militants in South Sheikh Zuweid and South Rafah in Sinai that left 7 militants affiliated with Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis dead and 15 militants arrested.
According to Abou Deraa, the campaign’s main aim was to maintain security and prohibit any “terrorist operations” during Eid Al-Adha or the celebrations of 6th of October.
Abou Deraa also noted that a tunnel that used in smuggling operations to Gaza was destroyed. He added that the military campaigns will be going on till the end of the celebrations of 6th of October.
Military campaigns have increased in Sinai in response to an increase in attacks by militants since the military’s ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi. Dozens of attacks have been claimed by Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis, including an assassination attempt against Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim.