Deadly IS attacks kills Egyptian troops in Sinai

At least two Egyptian soldiers were killed and eight injured in a series of attacks by a local Islamic State group (IS) affiliate on several Egyptian army targets in the city of Sheikh Zuwayed, northeastern Sinai.

Medical sources at the El-Arish Military Hospital in Sinai told The New Arab that the bodies of two soldiers arrived at the hospital today, in addition to eight wounded soldiers, following simultaneous attacks in Sheikh Zuwayed early on Tuesday.

They said that officers were among the wounded, who were now undergoing operations and treatment.

Eyewitnesses and sources from local tribes said that "Sinai Province", a name for the IS affiliate, had targeted an army vehicle with an IED near the village of Al-Shallaq west of Sheikh Zuwayed, injuring the soldiers on board.

They also said that soldiers guarding a well in the village of Qabr Umair near Sheikh Zuwayed were targeted with an anti-tank shell, resulting in further injuries.

IS militants also engaged in an hour-long battle with soldiers at another position near Sheikh Zuwayed.

The Egyptian army has been engaged in conflict against insurgent militants in northern Sinai for many years.

The insurgency intensified following the 2013 military coup against Egypt's first democratically-elected president, Mohammed Morsi.

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