Egypt police convoy attack leaves at least 18 dead
Egypt police convoy attack leaves at least 18 dead
At least 18 Egyptian police officers were killed on a suspected IS bomb attack at a north Sinai checkpoint.
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Egypt is battling a militant Islamist insurgency in its restive Sinai region [AFP]
An attack on a security convoy in Egypt's north Sinai region has left at least 18 people dead, security and medical sources said on Monday.
Egypt's interior ministry confirmed that an attack took place around the town of Bir al-Abed, but did not announce the number of casualties.
Militants attempted to break through a security convoy passing between Qantara near the Egyptian port city of Ismailiya, and El-Arish, the capital of North Sinai.
"As the forces dealt with the car, it blew up," the interior ministry said.
After the explosion, gunmen reportedly emerged from the desert area along the sides of the road and began shooting at security forces.
"This led to the martyrdom of some of the convoy's individuals and the injury of others," the ministry said.
Egypt's restive Sinai region has become the base for an Islamic State group affiliate that has carried out attacks around Egypt.
Attacks by the militant Islamist groups have claimed the lives of hundreds of security personnel, as well as over 100 members of Egypt's Coptic Christian minority since December.
On Monday, Egyptian security forces killed ten suspected militants during raids on two apartments in Cairo.
Egyptian authorities say the suspected militants had fled from north Sinai to the country's capital.
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