Egyptian helicopter-gunship kills & wounds dozens of Islamic militants in Sinai strike

The Egyptian official said the 2 Air Force  gunships fired 13 rockets after surprising 2 different Islamic militant gatherings near the Gaza border.

An Egyptian security official says helicopters have rocketed militant hideouts in the northern Sinai Peninsula, killing and wounding dozens. 

Egyptian Army soldiers patrol in Sinai.

Egyptian Army soldiers patrol in an armored vehicle backed by a helicopter gunship during a sweep through villages in in Sheikh Zuweyid, northern Sinai, Egypt in May. – Photo: AP

The official said the two helicopter gunships fired 13 rockets after surprising militant gatherings on Tuesday in two locations, al-Muqataa and Touma, south of the town of Sheikh Zuweyid near the border with Gaza.

He said “dozens” of militants were killed and wounded but that fighting was still ongoing. He did not mention if there were yet any soldiers on the ground to assess the number of casualties.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity according to rules.

Attacks by Islamic militants surged in the lawless Sinai after the toppling of Egypt’s President Mohammed Morsi in a July 3 coup.

 

View original HAARETZ publication at: http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/1.545074