The Electricity Ministry said on Friday that the Masa’ed-Sheikh Zuwayed power line in North Sinai came under attack from terrorists on Friday, leading to blackouts in the Rafah and Sheikh Zuwayed areas.
A statement from the ministry said that such blackouts are common and that security forces are hunting for the terrorists responsible.
It added that the preparations are underway to fix the line and restore power to the affected areas, with the assistance of security forces.
Egyptian military and security forces have been battling a mounting insurgency in Sinai since the removal of former President Mohamed Morsi in June 2013. Militants linked to the Islamic State terrorist group frequently conduct ambushes, mortar attacks and roadside bomb attacks in the North Sinai governorate.
In one of the largest single attacks, at least 15 police personnel were killed in an assault on a checkpoint in Arish, North Sinai. According to news reports, the attack was initiated by a car bomb at the checkpoint, followed by mortar fire.
Militants from the Sinai Province terrorist group, which is affiliated to Islamic State, later claimed responsibility.
In a typical attack, militants will detonate explosives and then fire on ambulance crews when they arrive to treat the casualties.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
