Army kills three, arrests 23 in northern Sinai

CAIRO – 19 June 2017: Three people were killed, and 23 others arrested in northern Sinai by the military, according to a statement released by the army spokesperson Tamer El-Refaey on Monday.

On June 12, two people were killed and two others were arrested on accusations of being members of terrorist groups. A vehicle laden with explosives materials, was also destroyed.

A smuggling tunnel was destroyed inside a house in Rafah as part of the operation, according to Refaey.

North Sinai has been a staging ground for militants operating in Egypt for decades. It is also home to the Islamic State’s Egyptian branch, which has been primarily targeting Christians and security forces in the area. The group has openly declared war against the Sinai’s Christian population, declaring they will drive them out of the region.