Egypt's Thunderbolt forces launched Thursday a wide range military operation targeting the Islamic State (IS) affiliated group, Wilayet Sinai's strongholds in Sheikh Zuweid and Rafah, northern Sinai, according to security reports. Military Special Forces arrested a terrorist cell in Sheikh Zuweid, consisting of 8 Wilayet Sinai militants, after seizing their weapons. The forces destroyed 6 houses, a pick up vehicle and 5 motorcycles belonging to the terrorist group, as they advanced towards Al Berth and Al Bawati, in search for the fugitive jihadists. The ground operation comes after military Apache Helicopters launched early Thursday air strikes against militants' positions in Sheikh Zuweid and Rafah.