Terrorism hits during corona
The Egyptian military has reported at least 10 casualties among soldiers from an explosion that struck an armored convoy in the volatile Sinai, where troops are battling an Islamic insurgency.
Military officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said 10 soldiers died, including an officer, and three others suffered shrapnel wounds. The attack near the small Sinai town of Bir al-Abed occurred during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, after sundown when the faithful break their daily fast.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi gave his condolences in a statement posted on Facebook, praising the fallen soldiers as “heroes” and “martyrs.” There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.
Egypt has been fighting the Sinai affiliate of the Islamic State extremist movement and struggling to re-establish control over the restive border region.
Most extremist attacks have occurred in marginalized northern Sinai, but militants have also struck at police officers, troops, and other high-profile targets in the mainland.