The Islamic State group’s Egyptian affiliate, Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, claimed Thursday’s deadly attacks in North Sinai that killed 27 people, mostly soldiers, AFP reported.
The jihadists’ Twitter account took responsibility for the attacks against several targets in the area, where Egyptian forces have been fighting an Islamist insurgency since the toppling of former president Morsi.
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The Tweet said the group “executed extensive, simultaneous attacks in the cities of El-Arish, Sheikh Zuweid and Rafah.”
According to Al Jazeera, the ISIS-affiliated fighters fired a barrage of rockets and set off a car bomb in.
A military base, a nearby police headquarters, a residential complex for army and police officers and an army checkpoint were targeted in El-Arish in the biggest such attack since October.
“Terrorist elements have attacked several police and army headquarters and facilities using explosive-laden vehicles and rockets, ” the military said.
“An exchange of fire is ongoing and the elements are being dealt with.”
Security officials said fighters first fired rockets at the El-Arish police headquarters and the military base, which was followed by the car bomb.
