Egyptian troops kill 241 militants in the Sinai

CAIRO"

Egypt's military killed 241 militants in the Sinai
from July 1-5 the army said Monday including jihadist
from the Islamic state group who launched
spectacular attacks last week.

The military has poured troops and armour into
the peninsula where security forces have been
fighting an Islamist insurgency since then army
chief and now President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi
ousted president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013

On July 1 jihadist from IS launched blistering
attacks in the North Sinai town of Sheikh Zuweid
,the scene of regular militant attack in which
dozens were killed,
The military said 21 soldiers were killed in those
attacks after several media outlets reported
higher tolls from security officials.

In figures released on Monday by the army
spokesman on his facebook page the military said its
forces killed 241 militants between July 1-5

Four wanted militants and 29 suspected militants
were also arrested .Sixteen crude bombs were
detonated ,while 26 cars and 28 motorbikes
belonging to militants were destroyed over the same
period,the army said,


On facebook the army also posted photographs
of dead militants some even displayed on
military tanks,
On Saturday ,Sisi made a surprise visit to North
Sinai ,where in address  tot troops at a camp
whose location was not disclosed he said the
region was now totally stable,

The jihadists say their attacks are in response
to the bloody repression launched by the
authorities after Morsi 's ouster which has
seen at least 1400 people killed and thousands
more jailed ,

Most of the attacks on security forces are
claimed by a group calling itself "Sinai Province"
Formerly known as Ansar Bett al Maqdis
it changed its name when it pledged allegiance
to IS last November '
AFP