21 Terrorists Killed in N. Sinai (Photos)

21 terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire with police forces in Bir al-Abd town in North Sinai, Egyptian interior ministry announced on Saturday.

They were planning to carry out terrorist operations in conjunction with Eid al-Fitr.

The ministry said that two hideouts were targeted by the forces, killing 14 terrorist elements in possession of 13 machine guns, 3 explosive devices, an explosive belt, and a walkie-talkie in a farm, while 7 others were killed  in possession of machine guns, 2 explosives, and an explosive belt in a house.

The ministry added that two officers were injured during exchanging the fire.

It is worth mentioning that, the operation comes as part of the Interior Ministry’s efforts to combat terrorist groups and hunt down the runaway terrorists who plan to destabilize the state’s security and stability.

Egypt’s security forces have been waging a war over the past four years against an Islamist terrorist insurgency, mostly in North Sinai, that has seen hundreds of security personnel killed, as well as hundreds of terrorists killed in security campaigns.

A Sinai-based terrorist group loyal to the Islamic State regional group claimed responsibility for most of the terror attacks in Egypt over the last few years.

Moreover, the Egyptian forces have succeeded in killing hundreds of terrorists and arresting thousands of suspects during the country’s anti-terror war declared by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, the army chief then, following ousted president Mohamed Morsi.