Egypt air strikes pound Islamic State group stronghold in northern Sinai: sources

Egyptian air strikes pounded villages in northern Sinai overnight Sunday, targeting hideouts of militants affiliated to the Islamic State group.

Violent explosions shook the region between the cities of Rafah and Sheikh Zuwied in the peninsula’s northeast, tribal sources told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, The New Arab’s sister site.

The sources confirmed that air strikes targeted Wilayat Sinai militants who have used the region as their base for several years.

No further information was given on the outcome of the strikes.

The air strikes come after several casualties in the Egyptian army and allied Bedouin tribes supporting the military in recent weeks, in attacks claimed by the IS-linked group.

Cairo’s operations are aimed at crushing the ongoing insurgency in Sinai’s north, an area blighted by instability and poverty. The situation in northern Sinai deteriorated following current President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s 2013 military coup, which ousted Mohammed Morsi from power.