Eleven terrorists, including two top leaders, were killed in al-Arish, North Sinai, on Monday during a shootout with security forces.
The National Security Agency (NSA) was tipped off on a group of terrorists using an abandoned fuel station as a hideout at Gesr al-Wady (Valley Bridge) in Arish.
Their information suggested that the group was preparing for a terrorist attack.
Security forces targeted the cell, and upon approaching came under fire, leading to an exchange that killed all 11 terrorists, including prominent leaders Mohamed Ibrahim Jabr Shaheen and Gomaa Ayyad Marshoud.
The forces recovered five automatic guns, large quantities of bullets, a cartridge gun, and two explosive devices from their hideout.
Egyptian Armed Forces launched the “Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018” campaign in February to counter the increasing terrorist threat from North Sinai.
Since 2014, the region had witnessed a growing number of terrorist attacks carried out by IS and its affiliated group the Sinai Province, such as various attacks against the army and police.
In retaliation, North Sinai-based state security carried out large-scale security sweeps and military operations.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
