Seven ‘terrorist elements' were killed in an exchange of fire between security personnel located in restive Sinai Peninsula, read a Tuesday statement by the Armed Forces spokesman. The statement further stated the arrest of another 15 militants previously participating in "terrorist schemes" against the armed forces and police officers, and the destruction of two smuggling tunnels openings and 16 militant "meeting points". The Egyptian armed forces are launching a crackdown on militant groups located in North Sinai aiming to "ultimately eliminate terrorism" as insurgent activities has been on the rise since the ouster of former President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013. Most of the attacks on security personnel in North Sinai were claimed by militant group Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis, who rebranded themselves as "State of Sinai" following their pledge of allegiance to Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Security measures have been undertaken in the peninsula including: a three months state of emergency; closing the Egypt-Gaza border; and the establishment of a ‘secure zone' along the border since the 24 October attack on security personnel that left at least 30 of them dead which was later claimed by ABM.
