Egypt carried out air strikes in the Sinai Peninsula on Thursday against militants affiliated with the Islamic State group, killing 23 fighters, according to local media reports.
The assault comes a day after the Islamic State launched an attack killing at least 50 soldiers, in a series of coordinated attacks in the region, according to an Egyptian army spokesperson.
The strikes have continued into Thursday, state television reported, and the Egyptian Army has said they will remain ongoing until it has cleared the North Sinai region of all “terrorist elements.”
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The Sinai Peninsula has long been considered a safe haven for extremist militants who use the region as a base for their activities.
On Jan. 31, gunmen killed 30 people and injured dozens in a series of coordinated attacks on the peninsula.
The presence of these groups, whose main target are the Egyptian troops, has increased its presence since the ouster of Mohamed Morsi in 2013, according to local press.