Pics: Egypt security neutralizes 8 militants after checkpoint attack

CAIRO – 7 June 2019: Security forces managed Friday to hunt down and neutralize eight terrorists who immediately started a heavy shootout after being ambushed in an olive farm in the desert area in Obour region southern al-Arish City.

A statement by the Ministry of Interior said security forces were tipped information about the hideout of some terrorists inside an olive farm in the desert area in Obour region southern al-Arish City.





"While the militants were being surrounded, they opened fire extensively towards the forces. They were engaged resulting in the death of eight terrorist elements," the statement said.

Five automatic weapons, an explosives device and two suicide belts were found in the terrorists’ possession.

The attack comes two days after an attack claimed by Islamic State killed eight police officers southwest of El-Arish.





Some militants fled the scene before security forces tracked down and killed 14 of them.

The attack took place on the day Egypt marked as the holiday of Eid al-Fitr.

President Sisi who has announced war against terrorism even before he assumed post as president in 2014, said in May that the "war against terrorism did not and will not end before we retaliate for every martyr who died for the sake of their homeland."





Since 2013, Egypt has witnessed numerous terrorist attacks, mainly by the Islamic State-affiliated Sinai Province militant group, which have led to the death of hundreds of policemen, army troops and civilians during attacks on security checkpoints, churches and recently a mosque.

In February 2018, under the title "Comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018", Egypt's Armed Forces launched an ongoing comprehensive military operation targeting the hotbeds of terrorists especially in Northern and Central Sinai.