Egypt s security forces killed 12 terrorists in an exchange of fire on Thursday in North Sinai, the ministry of interior said.
The National Security Agency had received information that a group of terrorist suspects was using an abandoned yard in El-Arish city as a hideout, and a shootout broke out when security forces attempted to conduct a raid on the hideout.
Seven suspects were killed in the raid while five others who were attempting to flee on the ring road highway were killed in a shootout with security forces.
Weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices were found at the scene.
The raids are part of the comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018, a counter-terrorism campaign that involves the army, navy, air force and police.
The operation was launched in February to target “terrorist and criminal elements and organisations” in north and central Sinai, parts of the Nile Delta and the Western Desert.
