60 Killed in Egypt Airstrikes Targeting ISIS

Smoke rises as a house is blown up during a military operation by Egyptian security forces in the Egyptian city of Rafah, near the border with southern Gaza Strip November 3, 2014. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

Egypt’s military killed 60 people and injured another 40 in airstrikes against radicals linked to ISIS, reported Sky News.

The airstrikes targeted areas in Egypt’s North Sinai, including the outskirts of Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid, reported Sky News.

According to Sky News, the airstrikes targeted positions held by Ansar Bait Al-Maqdis (also known as Wilayat Sinai), which pledged allegiance to ISIS in November 2014.

The airstrikes, if confirmed, come a week after 15 Egyptian policemen were killed in North Sinai in an attack claimed by Ansar Bait Al-Maqdis.

Violence has plagued Egypt’s North Sinai since the ouster of former President Mohammed Morsi in July 2013.

An estimated 2100 people were killed in North Sinai in 2015, including roughly 1800 described by the military as “terrorists,” 150 civilians, 40 police officers and conscripts, and 140 military personnel.

The year 2016 has seen a rise in both attacks and counter-terrorism operations with up to 100 militants killed since the start of the year.