Army raids kill nearly 100 militants in Egypt's North Sinai

CAIRO: Nearly 100 militants were killed in an explosion during a major military campaign in the restive North Sinai governorate that also claimed the lives of four soldiers, the army said.

As many as 98 militants were killed in the blast yesterday, the fifth day of the campaign, army spokesperson Brigadier General Mohamed Samir said.

Seven soldiers, including three officers, were injured. 23 suspected terrorists were also arrested, he said in a statement.

Eleven unlicensed vehicles and motorcycle were destroyed during the campaign, started recently by the army in the cities of Rafah, Sheikh Zwayed and Al-Arish against militants.

Egypt's North Sinai has witnessed many violent attacks by militants since the January, 2011 revolution that toppled the ex-president Hosni Mubarak.

The attacks targeting police and military increased after the ouster of Islamist ex-president Mohamed Morsi in 2013 by military following massive protests against his rule.

Over 600 security personnel have been reported killed since then.

The military has launched security campaigns in the area, arrested suspects and demolished houses that belong to terrorists, including those facilitating tunnels leading to the Gaza Strip.