An Egyptian army official says the military has stepped up its offensive in northern Sinai after a pause following two stunning suicide car bombings in the strategic peninsula this week. The official says helicopter gunships targeted suspected Islamic militant hideouts in a dozen villages south of the town of Sheikh Zuweyid and farmlands near the city of el-Arish at sunrise Friday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. A witness who lives nearby says smoke billowed in the sky after loud explosions rocked the area. He spoke of condition of anonymity fearing for his safety. Meanwhile, a militant group called Jund al-Islam claimed responsibility for Wednesday's suicide attacks that targeted a military intelligence headquarters and a checkpoint, killing six troops. Source: The Associated Press
