Egypt civilians, security injured in Islamic State attacks in Sinai

Multiple Egyptian civilians and members of the security forces have been injured in simultaneous attacks by the Islamic State (IS) group's affiliate in Sinai.

Militants ambushed Egyptian police in the Al-Masaeed area north of Arish city, causing injuries, according to local sources and eyewitnesses, The New Arab's Arabic sister service, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, reported on Saturday.

They added that the attack coincided with a suicide bombing in the area of the ambush, leading to material damage and injuries.

At the same time, IS militants fought with the Egyptian army and tribal groups supporting it in the Al-Misfaq area, near Bir Al-Abd city.

There were injuries on both sides of the clash, which lasted for over an hour, tribal sources told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

Three wounded people and a dead body, believed to belong to the suicide bomber, arrived at Arish General Hospital, according to medical sources.

The human damage on the Egyptian security side is unknown the given the high level of secrecy present at Arish Military Hospital.

The attacks in Arish, the capital of the North Sinai Governorate, are the first of their kind in years following Comprehensive Operation Sinai, a key military offensive launched in February 2018.

Islamists have waged an insurgency in Sinai since 2011.