Egypt's Army said in a statement Saturday evening that security forces had arrested 12, extremely dangerous, leaders of Ansar Bait Al-Maqdis- known as Sinai Province- in central Sinai. The statement said the apprehended leaders were arrested while they held meeting to plan a range of deadly attacks in the near future. Egypt has been battling waves of militant attacks in North Sinai, centred mainly in Rafah, Shiekh Zuewied, and Arish citiessince the ouster of former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013, following nation-wide protests against his rule. Some attacks have reached other parts of the country, including the capital. Militants have killed hundreds of security forces over the course of the insurgency. The army has said hundreds of militants have been killed in its campaigns. In November 2014, the Sinai based militant group Ansar Bait Al-Maqdis pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS) militant group. Source: Ahram online
