Egypt armed forces kill 18 militants in Sinai

Egyptian armed forces and the police killed 18 militants in North and Central Sinai during anti-terrorist raids over the past few days, a military spokesperson said on Thursday.

"The national security forces have killed 10 highly dangerous militants in the North Sinai city of Arish," Tamer al-Refaay said in a statement.

"Some 129 suspected and wanted criminals were arrested and two explosive devices were sized during the raid in Arish," he added.

The airstrikes in other areas in North and Central Sinai have killed other eight terrorists.

In Central Sinai, the forces have also detonated 141 explosive devices that were planted along the roads where the security men were, the statement added.

Some 147 militants' hideouts and arm warehouses, 16 four-wheel vehicles and 35 motor bikes were also destroyed by the air forces strikes.

A military officer has been killed in exchange of fire with the militants, the statement added.

Sinai Peninsula is the stronghold of terrorist groups in Egypt, including Sinai State, an Egyptian branch of the Islamic State.

In February, Egypt started the comprehensive "Sinai 2018" anti-terror campaign that killed over 420 militants and over 30 soldiers so far.