Egypt: 53 terrorists killed and 680 arrested in security operation

(Cairo) Egypt’s military and police forces said Thursday they  have killed 53 Islamist militants and arrested 680 suspects in a week-long offensive to crush insurgents that is focused on the restive Sinai Peninsula.

The security operation, which involved the army, navy, airforce and police, began last Friday and targeted “terrorist and criminal elements and organizations” in north and central Sinai, parts of the Nile delta and the western desert, has seen the air force, carry out more than 100 airstrikes in northern and central Sinai since the operation began, which has focused on terrorist hideouts outside residential areas to avoid hitting civilians. Ground based security forces have forces have destroyed over 1000 kg (2205 lbs) of explosives, 378 militant hideouts and weapon storage facilities including a media centre used by the terrorists.