Egypt’s army killed 74 militants in the restive North Sinai province on Saturday, as an army raid targeting suspected terrorist hideouts entered its13th day.
Army spokesperson Mohamed Samir said on Facebook that the dead militants had exchanged fire with the military. He said 52 were arrested while 64 others were released after they were cleared of terrorist acts.
As part of the operation, 31 hideouts were discovered, Samir revealed. He said the forces managed to destroy 16 IEDs used for roadside bombings targeting military troops.
Egyptian forces have launched recurrent raids on presumed extremist militant elements in the peninsula, who have claimed responsibility for killing hundreds of troops since the overthrow of former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi.