Egypt army kills jihadist leader in Sinai

Egyptian troops on Monday (December 9th) killed a leader of an al-Qaeda-inspired armed group that operates in the Sinai Peninsula and that has claimed attacks against security forces, AFP reported.

Ibrahim Mohammed Salaima, also known as Abu Suhaib, a “field leader” from Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis group, was killed in north Sinai, army spokesman Ahmed Ali said in a statement.

Egyptian security officials said Salaima was killed at a checkpoint on a road leading to the village of Toma where he had been hiding.

Salaima was wanted for his role in several attacks against security forces and military installations in Sinai, officials said.

Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis has claimed attacks in and outside the region, including last month’s assassination of senior security official Capt. Ahmed Mahmoud, an October car bombing in Ismailia and a failed attempt in September to kill the interim interior minister.

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