The Egyptian Border Guards have conducted a wide military campaign on all borders for several months, targeting militant groups, military spokesperson, Mohamed Samir said Tuesday. Samir reviewed the army's efforts in May 2015, in a detailed report posted on his official Facebook page. He announced that 141 militants were killed in separate gunfire battles with the armed forces at military ambushes and checkpoints, most of which occurred in Al Arish and Sheikh Zuweid. Samir said the army arrested 322 terror suspects as well as 71 wanted criminals including the Muslim Brotherhood leader Sabry Al Ghoul, adding that they were all detained pending investigation. He said that anti-terror troops have seized large amounts of weapons, ammunition, explosive devices and bombs, including the following: 31 machine guns, sniper rifles and pistols. 1,200 tons of explosive materials. 93 IEDs were defused by explosive experts 345 bullets of various types. 1.500 kg of drugs including cannabis, opium and heroin. 200 barrels used in making explosives. The Egyptian army has also destroyed 113 vehicles and 234 motorbikes with no license plates, which have been used in conducting terrorist operations and transfer militants within the Sinai Peninsula, the report said. Samir added that the forces have demolished 60 hotspots of militant groups including communication rooms and underground hideouts. A state of emergency has been enforced in parts of North Sinai since October 2014. The military forces have destroyed 150 terror bases and killed hundreds of militants since then.
