Three Egyptian security forces killed in Sinai

Security forces on high alert in Cairo over planned protests by Islamists on Friday.

By ARIEL BEN SOLOMON
Egyptian soldiers keep guard during a military operation in Rafah, near the border with the southern Gaza Strip (photo credit: REUTERS)
Egyptian soldiers keep guard during a military operation in Rafah, near the border with the southern Gaza Strip
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Egyptian security forces killed nine suspected terrorists on Wednesday.
Five suspected assailants were killed in a shootout with the army and four others were killed on motorbikes, the Egyptian Aswat Masriya website reported.
In addition, 19 suspected terrorists have been arrested over the past two days and a total of 41 vehicles and 44 motorbikes used by terrorist elements were destroyed.
Army spokesman Muhammad Samir added that 338 terrorist hideouts were destroyed and that ammunition and army uniforms were found.
Unknown gunmen killed two police officers and a conscript near an El-Arish police station in Sinai on Wednesday, the Interior Ministry announced, according to its website.
The ministry statement said that the policemen “sacrificed their lives for the nation.”
Security sources said Sinai residents found the three bodies, according to Aswat Masriya. The three had gunshot wounds to the head.
Security forces in Cairo are on high alert over planned protests by Islamists on Friday.
Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab said that Friday will be “a normal day” and that nothing will prevent the country from carrying out its transitional road map, MENA reported.