At least 30 alleged terrorists have been killed and another 40 injured in Egyptian Air Force strikes on a gathering of members of Sinai Province terrorist group, formerly known as Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis.
On Saturday, fighter jets bombed several targets including a large gathering of terrorists who escaped Sheikh Zuwaid city and relocated to the area of Mazarei Gehad abu Tabl, south of Arish city, near to the international airport.
Information was received by the armed forces indicating that a number of militants were praying together before a gathering at the location.
A source reported that the group tried to flee the area when they heard the sound of jets, but missiles from Apache attack helicopters shelled their cars and motorbikes. The area was bombed persistently for almost an hour, killing and injuring many present.
The strikes come as part of the third phase of the Egyptian military's anti-insurgency operation, "Martyr's Right", the first phase of which began in 2015.
Earlier this month, Military Spokesperson Mohamed Samir said that the operations have been carried out as a combined effort by the army, civilian police, the air force and maritime forces. The military use forces on the ground to confirm targets before striking with Apache attack helicopters and F-16 fighter jets.
According to Samir, the third phase of the operation had resulted in the killing of a large number of Islamist terrorists and the destruction of several hideouts from which they operate.
Sinai Province group, the target of this latest strike, was initially known as Ansar Beit al-Maqdis but changed its name in 2014 after pledging allegiance to Islamic State group.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
