Unidentified assailants opened fire at several security sites in the Sinai Peninsula late on Sunday near Egypt’s border with Israel and the Gaza Strip. No injuries or deaths have been reported. Security forces and gunmen exchanged gunfire at three security checkpoints as well as the security directorate headquarters in North Sinai’s Arish, Ahram Arabic news website reported. The deserted province is a hotbed for hard-line Islamist militants who have intensified their attacks on security and military checkpoints since the army’s popularly-backed overthrow of Egypt’s Islamist leader early in July. Dozens of security personnel and civilians have been killed and around a hundred injured in drive-by shootings and rocket attacks since Morsi’s ouster. The army has killed tens of alleged jihadi fighters in its latest crackdown in the peninsula.
Jul292013