North Sinai: 18 Egyptian policemen killed in an ISIS attack

Ambulance workers also targeted. Sinai violence continues against the government of President Sisi.

Cairo (AsiaNews / Agencies) - At least 18 policemen were killed in an attack launched by ISIS militants yesterday, near Arish, the provincial capital of North Sinai. The attackers detonated an explosive device, destroying three armored vehicles and another vehicle.

The explosion was followed by an armed clash. The attackers also opened fire on ambulance workers, injuring four. The interior ministry did not provide any further data, but only reported that several policemen were injured or killed in this "infidel attack".

Daesh (Arabic acronym for Islamic State) has claimed the attack in a statement published on its "Amaq" agency.

For some time, the Islamic militia has fomented acts of insurrection in the barren and mostly uninhabited territory of Sinai, with the aim of overthrowing the government of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Since the deposition of former President Islamist Mohammed Morsi in 2013, Islamists have murdered hundreds of soldiers and police forces. Last July, 23 Egyptian soldiers were killed in a twin suicide bombing on two military checkpoints.

• egypt
• sinai
• isis
• daesh
• terrorism
• police
• attack
• islamism
• islamic state