Egyptian army kills 16 fighters in counterterrorism operation

The Egyptian army said it launched a massive operation in northern Sinai against terrorist groups and killed 16 fighters while imprisoning more than 30 others.

The operation seeks to end a bloody conflict that has killed hundreds of civilians and soldiers in recent years. In November 2017, militants attacked a Sufi mosque killing 311 worshippers, the deadliest attack Egypt has witnessed so far.

After this bloody attack, President Sisi gave a three-month deadline to restore order in the region, using “all brute force” necessary.

The current ”comprehensive” security operation involves the country’s army, navy and air force with the aim of pushing armed groups out of the Sinai Peninsula, parts of the Nile Delta and the Western Delta, the Egyptian army said.

A government spokesman said a communication center, an explosives laboratory and six drug farms were found during the operation.