47 terrorists killed in Egypt’s Sinai

Egypt’s military has killed at least 47 militants in the North Sinai said sources to Reuters.

According to the sources, apache helicopters killed 27 fighters from the Ansar Bat Al-Maqdis organization (now called Sinai Province). Hours later, another 20 militants were killed by Egyptian soldiers.

The Sinai Province recently pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.

The latest operations come after at least 30 were killed, including soldiers and civilians, and more than 100 injured in one of the bloodiest attacks witnessed in Egypt’s North Sinai.

“Terrorist elements” launched these attacks on the Military and civilians after successful military operations against extremists in the North Sinai, announced Egypt’s Military spokesperson in a statement four hours after the attack took place on January 29.

The military spokesperson attributed the attacks to “the failure of the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood and its supporters at spreading chaos on the fourth anniversary of the great January 2011 revolution.”

The night-time attacks came in the form of car bombs and artillery by militants on police and military installations in Egypt’s El-Arish. Reports indicate military positions were also targeted in Rafah.

Ansar Bait Al-Maqdis has claimed responsibility for the attack.

On January 25 2015, Egypt’s government had announced that it would be extending the state of emergency and curfew in North Sinai by three months to April 25.

Since the ouster of former President Mohammed Morsi, the Sinai has witnessed a wave of  violence, often targeting security forces.

A fact-sheet prepared by Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs put the death toll for terrorism acts which took place since January 2011 and until April 2014 at 971, including 664 security personnel.