Egyptian security forces detained Tuesday 17 terror suspects in a wide security campaign, in North Sinai's Arish, Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid cities following the shelling of a security base in Rafah, security sources told Al Bawaba News. Forces also managed to destroy 24 terrorist outposts using military aircrafts and ground forces, sources added. Unidentified militants fired three mortar shells on the Central Security base in northern Sinai, near the border with Gaza. No casualties were reported. Fierce clashes took place between the militants and security forces after the attack, the sources stated Monday. Meanwhile, a number of masked gunmen stormed two public schools in Sheikh Zuweid and evacuated all students and employees, then planted improvised explosive devices (IED) around both of them. Bomb disposal officers were deployed to the scene and screened area for any planted explosives. Egypt has been battling an Islamic insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula for years, but attacks against the army and police dramatically increased after the ouster of president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.