A statement by Egypt’s Ministry of Interior announced that 14 Daesh terrorists have been shot to death in the north Sinai city of al-Arish. Daesh, also known as Islamic State (IS), had claimed responsibility for the attack on 5 June against a security checkpoint south of Arish. The ensuing shootout left a police officer, policeman, and six soldiers dead; also five of the terrorists.
The terrorists had attacked the checkpoint as Muslims prepared for the dawn prayers that mark the beginning of Eid al-Fitr, the feast that comes at the end of the Muslim holy month of fasting, Ramadan.
The Interior Ministry’s statement said that its forces managed to track down the Islamist cell responsible for conducting the attack against the Arish checkpoint; the track led to a deserted house in an empty plot of land in the district of al-Massaeed in Arish. When the police surrounded the house, the terrorists opened fire which was met by counter fire, and 14 of the terrorists died. Inside the house, the Interior Ministry forces found 14 automatic guns, three explosive devices, and two explosive belts.
The necessary legal measures have been taken, and the State security prosecution is handling the case.
Watani International
6 June 2019