Egyptian security forces have eliminated 14 terrorists responsible for the June 5 attack on an Arish checkpoint in northern Sinai, the Ministry of Interior of Egypt announced on June 6.
The ministry said in a statement that the terrorists were hiding in an abandoned house in the district of al-Mas’aid near the city of Arish.
“While storming the hideout, terrorist elements opened fire at police forces, which responded, as a result, 14 militants were killed. 14 assault rifles, two improvised-explosive devices (IEDs) and two explosive belts were seized,” the ministry’s statement reads.
8 Egyptian security personnel were killed in the attack, which targeted a key checkpoint west of Arish. The terrorists also destroyed an armored vehicle.
ISIS had claimed responsibility for the attack, saying that all the attackers were able to safely withdraw to their hideouts.
Last year, the Egyptian military and security forces carried out a large-scale security operation against ISIS cells in Sinai. The operation eliminated most of the terrorist group’s assets in the region. However, some cells were able to survive.
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