Originally published on September 8, 2013
At least 30 people have been killed or injured in a major operation launched by the Egyptian army against militants in the Sinai peninsula on Saturday (September 7). The operation is said to be the biggest of its kind in recent years in Sinai.
According to Reuters, "dozens of armored vehicles backed by attack helicopters took part in the operation near Sheikh Zuweid, a few kilometers (miles) from the Palestinian Gaza Strip. Fifteen people were detained in the operation, which the officials said targeted militants responsible for attacks on the security forces.
"The operation comes two days after an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim in Cairo. Security officials say the militants behind the suicide bombing were linked to groups in the Sinai.
"Hardline groups have expanded into a security vacuum that opened up in North Sinai after the downfall of veteran autocrat Hosni Mubarak in 2011.
"Their attacks have escalated since July 3, when the military deposed president Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood, with almost daily assaults on the security forces and other targets in the desert peninsula bordering Israel."
It was reported that the number of casualties was expected to rise as the operation continued. Weapons caches, vehicles and militant hideouts were also destroyed. According to sources, the operation was intended to clean out the towns of Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid as wella s nearby villages of dangerous terrorists.
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