Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Egypt launches air strikes on militants in Sinai

Egyptian aircraft struck at targets near the border with Israel today and troops raided villages in a crackdown on Islamic militants blamed for a deadly attack on Egyptian border police, army officials and witnesses said.

The air strikes around the town of Sheikh Zuwaid, 10 km (6 miles) from Palestinian-ruled Gaza Strip, followed clashes overnight between armed men and security forces at several checkpoints in the north of Egypt's Sinai region.

Israel said Egypt's action against the militants was a necessary response against groups threatening its security.  

The militant strongholds are in northern Sinai, away from the Red Sea resorts further south that are popular with foreign tourists and a lifeline for Egypt's struggling economy.