The Egyptian military has killed 30 Takfiri elements and arrested another 31 during military crackdowns carried out from April 5th to 8th in Sinai Peninsula, according to military spokesperson. A crackdown on terrorist hotbeds in Al Kouza, near Al Arish, left 12 terrorists killed and seven arrested, the spokesperson said. "A lot of stolen plateless vehicles and motorbikes were confiscated while the hotbed was completely bombarded," he added . In the same context, the spokesperson added, the Armed Forces, building upon tip-offs, managed to liquidate 18 terrorists and arrest 24 on police wanted list in villages of Tumma, Lafta and Kawadees near Sheikh Zuwaid city. On Thursday, 11 civilians and two police officers were killed in three separate terrorist attacks on a residential area and a checkpoint in Sheikh Zuwaid, according to military officials quoted by AP news agency. "Wilayet Sinai" terrorist group, that swore allegiance to the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS), claimed responsibility for most of terrorist attacks. A buffer zone has been established on borders with Gaza Strip as a bid to thwart influxes of weapons and militants into volatile Sinai. Restive Sinai Peninsula is the most terror-hit spot in Egypt since the overthrow of former president Mohamed Morsi July 2013 following mass popular protests. Egypt's Supreme Military Council (ESMC), presided by President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, embarked in November 2014 upon a new campaign on heels of deadly blasts against security personnel and civilians.
