Five militants belonging to Ansar Bayt Almaqdes, an ISIS linked terrorist group were killed Wednesday in a military operation in North Sinai. Army spokesperson, Brigadier General Mohamed Samir said the militants killed in Al-Arish, Sheikh Zwayed and Rafah were among the group that kidnapped and killed a police officer recently, "The army also destroyed 24 militant hideouts and 30 unlicensed motorcycles and vehicles used in terror attacks during the raids", he added. The insurgency in Sinai reached its peak following the ouster of the Muslim Brotherhood regime June 30. Nearly 500 security personnel were killed and hundreds were injured, ABM claimed responsibility for the attacks. A state of emergency was declared on October 24th, following the deadly attack on Karm Alkwadis checkpoint in Sheikh Zuweid, leaving 31 soldiers killed.