Egypt's interior ministry said on Wednesday that security forces have killed 11 takfiris in a shootout in the North Sinai city of El-Arish, state news agency MENA reported. The Arabic word "takfiri" refers to extremist Sunni Muslims who accuse others of being infidels, often as a justification for using violence against them. Unnamed security sources told MENA that they have raided a hideout in El-Arish city, detonating explosive devices and seizing weaponry. No police officers have been reported injured in the operation. The raids are part of the comprehensive Operation Sinai 2018, a counter-terrorism campaign that involves the army, navy, air force and police. The operation was launched in February to target “terrorist and criminal elements and organisations” in north and central Sinai, parts of the Nile Delta and the Western Desert.
