Seven Egyptian soldiers killed in militant attack

At least seven Egyptian security personnel have been killed in a militant attack on a military checkpoint in the country’s restive North Sinai governorate, a senior army officer said on Sunday.

The attack took place on Saturday when militants opened fire at Abu Refai checkpoint near Shiekh Zwayied city. The number of soldiers killed in fighting between the army and militants has risen to seven, said army spokesperson Brigadier General Mohamed Samir. Egyptian army launched a number of raids yesterday in different parts of North Sinai and killed 59 militants, Samir said.

North Sinai has witnessed many violent attacks by militants since the January 2011 revolution that toppled ex-president Hosni Mubarak.