The Egyptian military has destroyed three hideouts and seized a weapons depot used by militants in the central part of the border Sinai Peninsula, a spokesman said Thursday.
Tamer El-Refaie said in a statement that the military s third field forces seized a weapons cache housing "anti-tank projectiles, large amounts of highly explosive TNT material used by the militants to manufacture improvised explosive devices (IEDs), explosive belts and mortar shells."
Egypt s army has been battling an Islamist insurgency mainly based in North Sinai, which has killed hundreds of army and police personnel.
Last week, over 300 civilians were killed when militants opened fire on worshippers at a mosque in the town of Bir Al-Abed in North Sinai.
The Egyptian armed forces and air force have launched several strikes against terror hideouts in North Sinai since the attack.