A security source in North Sinai told Misr Al Arabia News Monday that the Egyptian armed forces conducted air raids in the peninsula targeting the Wilayat Sinai jihadist group, killing seven militants. The source, who asked to remain anonymous, said that the air raids were conducted south of Sheikh Zuweid and Rafah, leaving seven militants dead including four of their leaders. The source pointed out that the armed forces had received information regarding the position of a vehicle carrying a group of gunmen and their leader. The fighter jets were then ordered to bomb the vehicle, killing everyone aboard. In November 2014, Ansar Bayt Al Maqdis pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi, leader of the Islamic State group (IS) and called themselves "Wilayat Sinai" or the Province of Sinai. Ever since, the group has claimed responsibility for attacks on Egyptian police personnel and army troops, mostly in Sinai and sometimes in the capital.
