Egyptian authorities kill 12 ‘militants’ in Sinai, arrest 7 ‘linked to church attack’

CAIRO — Egyptian security forces have killed 12 suspected militants in raids on their hideouts in north Sinai, state news agency MENA reported on Sunday, according to Reuters.

Meanwhile, Agence France-Presse reported authorities have arrested seven suspected members of a "terrorist cell" behind a failed suicide attack on a church in the outskirts of Cairo, the interior ministry said.

The campaign in Sinai has reportedly resulted in the death of at least 325 suspected militants since it launched in February, a Reuters count shows, based on military statements. 

At least 35 military personnel have also been killed.

The state news agency said security forces came under fire when they raided a walled compound in Al Arish, the capital of North Sinai province, without giving a time frame for the incident.

It said the raiding forces responded in kind and 12 suspected militants were killed in the shootout. The authorities were trying to verify their identities.

Five rifles, four of them automatic guns, were recovered from the scene as well as some ammunition and two ready-to-use bombs, MENA said.

There were no reports of casualties among security forces.

Sisi was reelected in March in a landslide victory against one opponent seen as a token candidate. 

His critics say his presidency has brought a harsh crackdown on dissent, but supporters argue the measures are needed to stabilise Egypt, which was rocked by years of unrest after protests toppled veteran leader Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

In Cairo, a suicide bomber attempted to attack the Virgin Lady Church in the Shobra El Kheima district on Saturday, but blew himself up before reaching his target, officials said, according to AFP.

Authorities said an explosive device hidden beneath his clothing detonated as he retreated due to the heavy police presence around the church.

The police identified the bomber as Omar Mohamed Ahmed.

They said he was part of a “terrorist cell”, but did not specify which group it belonged to.

After searching the assailant’s residence, police said they found evidence on co-conspirators and plans to carry out further attacks.

The interior ministry listed by name six members of the “terrorist cell” who had been arrested.

Christian sites of worship across Egypt have been repeatedly targeted in attacks claimed by the Daesh terror group.

A string of bombings on Coptic churches in Cairo, Alexandria and the Nile Delta city of Tanta in 2016 and 2017 killed at least 80 people.

Coptic Christians make up about 10 per cent of Egypt’s predominantly Sunni Muslim population of some 96 million.