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A new attack by ISIS cells in the Sinai Peninsula has claimed the life of an Egyptian security officer and injured three others, the Associated Press reported.
Citing Egyptian officials, the agency said that a patrol of Egyptian security forces was targeted with an improvised explosive device as it was passing near the city of Sheikh Zuweid in northern Sinai. The attack took place late on January 21.
ISIS confirmed its responsibility for the attack near Sheikh Zuweid in a statement shared by its news agency, Amaq, on January 22.
Amaq reported a second attack by ISIS in northern Sinai. The group’s cells targeted a bulldozer of the Egyptian military near the village of Bal’a, west of Rafah city. No human losses were confirmed.
ISIS stepped up its operations in Sinai in the last few months. Earlier this month, the group published a 24-minute video release titled “Bleeding the Campaigns.” The release documents a series of recent attacks in the Sinai Peninsula by the terrorist group’s cells.
The Egyptian military and security forces are yet to adopt harsher measures to secure the Sinai Peninsula. Meanwhile, ISIS expands its influence in the region.